That wonderful day out at Twickenham just over six weeks ago is still fresh in the memories of many Smiths’ supporters, but those people holding the top positions at the club are already looking forward to the upcoming campaign.

And a big one it is for the Counties 2 Gloucestershire club because this season will be their 75^th since they were formed in 1952.

“It’s very important,” said chairman Stuart Cole. “We’re looking forward to our 75^th, we’ve come a long way in the past few seasons.”

Indeed they have because they’ve been winning leagues and cups almost for fun in recent times, culminating in that never-to-be-forgotten Twickenham triumph when they beat St Mary’s Old Boys 49-19 in the RFU Community Cup Counties 2 Championship final in May.

“That showed the ambition of the club especially after we were beaten in the final the year before,” continued Cole.

“We’re hoping that success will help us attract new players to the club, we’re always looking for new players.”

And it’s not just the flagship team that enjoyed success in 2025/26.

“Our 2nds won the Cheltenham Combination Junior Cup,” said Cole. “And our under-15s had a really good first season, they won the Cirencester 7s.

“We’re looking to grow our junior section. We’re looking to progress and field more sides.”

The first team will again be competing in Counties 2 Gloucestershire after finishing fourth last time out.

“This is the highest level we’ve played in our history,” added Cole, a former 1^st XV player who has been chairman for 14 years.

“The dream is to finish top and get promoted. We’ve been close before but twice been beaten in the play-offs.

“There are no play-offs now so to go up would make it a perfect season for us. It would be great to push on.”