Spartans head coach Ryan Barnett is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his club as he looks ahead to the new rugby season.

Champions of Gloucestershire Premier last season, they will be rubbing shoulders with some seriously good clubs in Western Counties North after their second promotion in three seasons.

“It’s a big step up,” said Barnett. “I like to think we can go there and do okay, I think it’s the level we should be at and we’ve done very well over the past few seasons.”

Indeed they have, including a trip to Twickenham in the RFU Junior Vase in 2017, but Western Counties North is certainly another level where they will be up against the likes of near neighbours Matson and Coney Hill.

“Everyone knows that Western Counties North is very forward-orientated,” said Barnett. “Teams have very big front fives and that’s not something we have.

“Everyone knows we’re a smaller, lighter side. We don’t have a big front five and our challenge is to make sure we win enough ball at the set-piece.

“Our strength is when we get the ball out to our backs because we can score quite a lot of tries.”

So what’s the aim this season?

“We want to be competitive,” continued Barnett. “We have no ambition at this stage to go any higher. At Level 6 you’re playing town clubs. We’re a young squad and Level 7 is right for us.

“To finish midtable this season would be an achievement.”

And while that is Barnett’s major goal this season, it is not his only aim.

“We need to ensure that our 2nd XV fulfil their fixtures,” he said. “We struggled to get a team out at times last season and we need to get a team out regularly by hook or by crook.”

It’s a problem facing many clubs, of course, and Barnett recognises that rugby has changed dramatically in the 21st century.

“Twenty years ago we were fielding four sides regularly,” said Barnett. “As a 16-year-old kid I learned my trade playing in the 2nd team. I played against old heads who had a physical edge.

“Every club needs a 1st team squad of 25 to 30 players but you can only have 18 in a squad on matchday so it is vital that you give the other 10 regular game-time.”