George Porter has a very good playing pedigree so when he says Cinderford have signed some seriously good rugby players he’s worth listening to.

The 28-year-old is about to embark on his second season as captain and if the calibre of player joining the National Two South club is anything to go by it could be a very successful one.

Centre Jack Hayes, from Rotherham, and tighthead prop James Elliot, from Birmingham Moseley, were confirmed as new signings back in May and director of rugby Paul Morris revealed three more top signings a couple of months later – tighthead prop Tim Brockett and hooker Nathan Taylor from last season’s National One champions Hartpury, and back row Harry Hone, who can also play in the second row, from Birmingham Moseley.

“They are all Championship standard players,” said Porter. “They’ve all played at a very high level so it’s going to make us very competitive.

“There’s going to be a lot of competition for places so it will be very interesting.”

Porter is, of course, going to be a key man for Morris’ men again this season. The loosehead prop was an ever-present last season and numbers Worcester Warriors, Ealing Trailfinders, Lydney and Matson among his former clubs.

Even though he’s the captain he knows he’ll have to be at or somewhere near his best to play week in, week out and he wouldn’t expect anything else.

He enjoyed his first season in charge at Cinderford and is counting down the days to the start of the new season, which sees them travel to Canterbury on Saturday 2nd September.

So, what sort of captain is he?

“I’m not the sort who will have people in tears with an emotional team talk,” he said. “I like to lead from the front and if I can do that I think I’m doing my job.

“I’m a loosehead prop so it’s all about the set-piece for me. If I can make a few tackles and a few carries that’s even better.”

So, what’s the aim for Cinderford this season?

“We want to win as many games as we can,” he said very matter-of-factly. “If we do that we’ll see how far it takes us.”

The signs are good. It could be an exciting season for the Dockham Road faithful.