The wait is over. After a long summer and an even longer pre-season, men's league rugby returns to Penns Place on Saturday as Petersfield open the 26/27 campaign at home to Chobham.

It's a fixture with history. Chobham may come from one of Surrey's more idyllic towns, but there's nothing gentle about the way they play. Their big, abrasive pack has been a thorn in Petersfield's side for several seasons, and the recent record tells the story. 'Field have won three of the last four meetings, but none of those wins came by more than 15 points.

Chobham finished ninth last season, and that position undersells them. They took the scalps of Old Tiffinians and Havant Dolphins, and came within two points of beating champions Bournemouth. Underestimate them at your peril.

Petersfield come in with two wins from two in pre-season, and with a squad that looks slightly different from the one that finished 25/26.

"This weekend marks the start of our delayed league season," said 1XV captain, Karter Whitlock. "With two games and two wins under our belt, we know what we need to work on and what we need to do. We've had a few setbacks, but training has come together well. Chobham won't be an easy game, but I believe if we play the way we've trained, we'll come away with the win."

A new-look backroom

Liam Perkins, Perky to most at the club, left at the end of last season, and that started a full rethink of the coaching set-up. Director of Rugby Matt McLean and chairman Stuart Barden have spent the summer rebuilding, and the early signs are encouraging.

The headline appointment is Andy Tart as Forwards Coach. He cut his teeth at CHSB, was Head of Sport at St John's College, Southsea, and has since been Head Coach at both US Portsmouth and Alton RFC. Most recently he spent five years as Lead Coach on the Harlequins Developing Player Programme. That work was built around growing players' confidence and creating an environment where people want to turn up, get better and enjoy their rugby. Saturday is the first chance to see his pre-season work on the pitch.

The 2XV, relegated to Hampshire Counties 3 last season, have had a reset of their own. Two of the club's most loyal servants, Chris Brooker and Derek Eldridge, take over as forwards and backs coach respectively. Both have played at Penns Place for decades, and few people understand the game, or the culture of the club, better.

Comings and goings

The summer brought some notable departures. Franko Tomic, Jackson Clark, Tom Blewitt and Brad Caparo have all moved on to test themselves elsewhere, and they leave with the club's best wishes.

Recruitment has been strong in return. Fly half Lewis New and centre Ben Norman lead a group of promising new arrivals. Just as important is the colts group moving up to senior rugby. Three of them impressed enough in pre-season to earn 1XV debuts on Saturday. It's a proud moment for the club, and proof of a pathway that runs from Under 6s all the way to the first team.

Off the field

The club's Lead and Principal Partners are largely unchanged, with one welcome addition. Abacus Associates join as a Principal Partner for 26/27, with their logo on the back of the home shirt. Alex Groves of Abacus, another much-loved clubman, has funded two new VEO cameras. They should ease the Sunday scramble for footage among the club's many teams. All being well, Saturday will also be the first 1XV home game to be live streamed from Penns Place, with every game after to follow.

There's a big step forward in performance data too. A closer relationship with Nightingale Court Care has led to a new partnership with Pitchero GPS. From this season, Petersfield players will wear GPS trackers in every game, the same kind of technology used in the Premiership and in international rugby. Linked with the club's existing Framesports partnership, an AI-powered match analysis platform, it gives the coaches insight into player performance that is almost unheard of in grassroots rugby.

Team news

Three debuts lead the headlines. Youth product Charlie Tomlin starts at loosehead, packing down alongside hooker Owen Davies and the experienced Harley Orr at tighthead. Another homegrown debutant, Eddie Jordan, starts at lock alongside the towering Oli Hunt.

Players' Player Zac Conley starts at blindside with Jack Janaway at openside. New captain Karter Whittock, an ever-present, completes the pack at No. 8.

Joe Knowles continues at scrum half, and Archie Whitear takes the No. 10 shirt. In midfield, Greg Jansen is joined by the third debutant, youth product Sam Turner, in a powerful centre pairing that will look to punch holes in the Chobham defence. Out wide, Alex Robinson and Seb Tuff take the wings, with Ethan Horsfall at full back.

On the bench, the experienced Jamie Williams covers the front row and 2XV captain Tim Vreysen covers the back row. Director of Rugby Matt McLean completes the bench as backs cover, ready to make an impact when called on.

Petersfield 1XV squad to face Chobham

1. Charlie Tomlin
2. Owen Davies
3. Harley Orr
4. Eddie Jordan
5. Oli Hunt
6. Zac Conley
7. Jack Janaway
8. Karter Whittock (c)
9. Joe Knowles
10. Archie Whitear
11. Alex Robinson
12. Greg Jansen
13. Sam Turner
14. Seb Tuff
15. Ethan Horsfall

Replacements: 16. Jamie Williams, 17. Tim Vreysen, 18. Matt McLean

Matchday details

Kick off is at 3pm at Penns Place. The clubhouse serves the first lunch of the season upstairs from 12:45pm. Get down early, get behind the boys and make it a curtain raiser to remember.

2XV: A fresh start at Lymington

The 2XV start their season on Saturday afternoon away at Lymington Mariners. It's a chance to draw a line under a tough 25/26.

Jorge Villalon and Dan Luff start at prop either side of hooker Chad White. Ryan Morse captains the side from the second row alongside youth graduate James Tyler. George Butcher, Ben Brooker and Carl Sharrock make up the back row.

Alex Evans returns to start at scrum half, with Luke Marden at fly half. Max Golding makes a welcome return to a Petersfield shirt at inside centre, with Oscar Horsfall outside him. Matt Trafford makes his PRFC debut on the left wing, with Jake Weasley on the right and Mackenzie Van Laun at full back.
On the bench, forwards coach Chris Brooker and Tim Jones cover the front row, and James Abrahams covers the backs. Stefan Holloway travels as reserve.

Petersfield 2XV squad to face Lymington Mariners

1. Jorge Villalon
2. Chad White
3. Dan Luff
4. Ryan Morse (c)
5. James Tyler
6. George Butcher
7. Ben Brooker
8. Carl Sharrock
9. Alex Evans
10. Luke Marden
11. Matt Trafford
12. Max Golding
13. Oscar Horsfall
14. Jake Weasley
15. Mackenzie Van Laun

Replacements: 16. Chris Brooker, 17. Tim Jones, 18. James Abrahams

Travelling reserve: Stefan Holloway