Andy Wright is happy to keep leading Berry Hill from the front even though he has dropped back into the back row in recent seasons.

The one-time hooker now plays more often than not at blindside flanker and he will be very much to the fore as the club look to establish themselves in Gloucester Premier after last season’s Gloucester One title success.

The 35-year-old is in the second season of what is his third spell as captain of the club and believes the club are in a good place.

“We’re doing well,” he said. “The facilities are second to none and we’re on the way back up. We’re all working hard but we have to take it one step at a time.

“We’re looking to stay in the league – that’s our goal – but whatever comes on top of that we’ll take.”

Wright knows his rugby having played the game for well over two decades. He first started playing rugby while a pupil at Whitecross School before joining Bream and then moving on to Lydney.

“I played at Lydney for quite a few years,” said Wright. “I played at the same time as Paul Price, Nick Nelmes and Adrian Knox and had a season in the first team.

“Nelmer was coming to the end of his career and I was on the bench but towards the end of the season I got quite a few games.”

Wright left Lydney for Berry Hill after Ben Lewis had made the move in the other direction.

Lewis was a very good hooker – “He’s part of the 200 Club at Lydney,” said Wright – and these days is back playing at Berry Hill which is one of the big reasons why Wright has moved into the back row.

“When you get to the stage of your career where I am you’re not so worried about where you play, it’s what’s best for the team,” explained Wright.

So which position does he prefer, hooker or blindside flanker?

“At six you’ve got to run more but I like carrying the ball,” he said. “It’s also less physical in the scrums. The scrums are easier, I can walk better on Sundays!

“And I’m definitely not missing the throwing in at all. I was never blessed with being a natural thrower of the ball.”

Wright is determined to carry on playing for as long as he can – “You’re a long time retired,” he said – and his new fitness regime should certainly help him continue for a good while yet.

“As I’ve got older I’ve been doing a lot more fitness work,” he said. “I think everyone gets there once in their career. I’ve started enjoying the fitness side of things and it’s certainly helped me on the pitch in terms of my workrate.”

And while Wright knows he won’t be able to play forever, he believes the club have a bright future.

“We’ve got a really strong youth set-up and we’ve got two good coaches in Mike Stubbs and Ady Powles.

“We’re running two senior teams regularly and we’re hoping to get a third team up and running again.”

It all sounds very encouraging and Wright will certainly be able to keep a close eye on all things Berry Hill Rugby Club because he lives just up the road from the club with his wife Kayleigh and children Evelyn, 3, and Felix, 1.

“I live within stumbling distance,” he laughed.