Helensburgh Rugby Club’s head coach Adam Hart says the players are well on track ahead of their first pre-season friendly away to Clydebank this Saturday.

The Grizzlies head down to Whitecrook, and have also organised a home friendly against Hamilton Seconds on August 20 before they get their league campaign against Garnock on August 27.

Hart says it will be a good test for the squad as they begin to up the ante.

He said: “We’ve got a good squad going through to Clydebank, good numbers and we’ll look to rotate people to get them more match fitness.

“You can do as much sprinting as you want but it’s taking that first hit again in a match environment.

“So once people get used to taking that hit again I’m sure they will be fine, that’s what pre-season friendly.”

“Hamilton Seconds play in the national reserve league against the likes of Hawks Seconds, and other premiership second teams, so it is a very high standard.

“And that is on the same day as the Lomond former pupils match as well, and they’ve got football and hockey, and the Helensburgh Netball Club have lots of trials as well, so this small area is going to be absolutely buzzing that day.”

Last year’s player of the year Liam Flanagan has given Helensburgh Men’s Rugby Club a boost to the side ahead of the upcoming season.

Hart also said there were definite improvements in the culture of the club, even in such a small space of time since coming in.

He added: “Definitely, we had a social on the Saturday night and there was a lot of people there, it was the ladies team who ran it and as many of the guys came down dressed up in their togas and joined in with the festivities.

“And a few of the guy’s who have just joined the club brought their girlfriend’s along that haven’t been to the club before, and they were getting integrated into the club culture which is good, which is what we want, it’s not just the guy’s buying into it, it’s the families as well as this is a family club.

Several Helensburgh youth team players were also in action for Glasgow’s age grade sides against the Caledonian equivalent at Netherdale, Galashiels.

Adam Scott scored 15 of Glasgow’s points for the U16 side as they defeated Caledonia U16s 25-16.

The centre scored a try, two penalties and two conversions as they overturned a half-time deficit to pick the first win of the day.

Matthew Holland was also in action for Glasgow U18s as they lost 22-17 to Caledonia’s U18s.