Max Rendell will lead Tewkesbury in the newly-formed Counties 2 Gloucestershire this season.

The 24-year-old outside centre has taken over as captain from long-serving fly-half James Watkins and he is looking forward to the challenge.

Rendell was a captain when he came through the junior section at the club, so he has onfield experience of the role.

Second row Digby Woodham will serve as his vice-captain and Rendell said: “I’ll try to lead from the front, I want to lead by example.

“I want to keep a clear head and I want us to play some good rugby.”

Rendell first started playing for the club’s juniors at the age of four or five and the former Tewkesbury School pupil has come a long way since then.

He played alongside ex-Gloucester star Louis Rees-Zammit at both Hartpury College and Gloucester Academy, but he said he found it tough when he was released by Gloucester at the age of 18.

“I fell out of love with rugby,” admitted the self-employed builder. “I went back and played for Tewkesbury for a year, then had a year off.

“Then I played for Chosen Hill and then had another year off before I went back to Tewkesbury at the start of last season.”

And that’s proved to be one of the best decisions that Rendell has made because he’s now loving every minute at the club.

Former Gloucester back row Gareth Evans, who took over as head coach at the start of last season, has introduced a free-flowing, attacking style of play that has brought the very best out of the players.

“The style suits us, especially with our back line, we’ve got some quick boys,” said Rendell. “Gareth has been brilliant, the training sessions are good, they remind me of how we used to train at the academy.

“It’s really enjoyable, he knows what he’s doing, he’s easy to trust.”

Rendell is not the only young player who is thriving in the set-up with the likes of Brodie Cook, Ollie Thomas and Brendan Llewellyn all relishing the opportunities that have been presented to them.

This season will be much tougher, of course, but Rendell, who lives in Tewkesbury, is optimistic.

“The first aim is to stay up but with the players we’ve got I think we can push up into the top half of the table, that would be nice,” he said.

Ex-skipper Watkins, who will continue to play, will be a big support to Rendell over the coming weeks and months and Rendell added: “They’re big boots to fill after Jimmy, he did a great job as captain. He’s a very good clubman.”

Tewkesbury’s opening game in the 12-strong Counties 2 Gloucestershire is at home to Stroud on Saturday 6^th September.