The king pins of the Wirral peninsular were last season's runners-up in National Three – now renamed National 2 North – and have boldly declared their promotion ambitions this time around.

Although for a variety of reasons they have lost 10 experienced men from the squad that had a tilt at the title, they have recruited wisely and strongly, the most high profile signing being Stuart Turner from Premiership Sale.

With England and Barbarian caps in his locker, the 37-year-old tight head prop now works in the family business just across the Mersey in Liverpool.

And he is credited with already making an impact on his new club's pre-season preparations.

There are, too, lock Paul Arnold and fly-half Richard Vasey who both last season played for Moseley in National One (now the Championship; we are all going to have to get used to this re-designation, the point of which eludes me.)

Career moves in the real world have brought both from the Midlands to Merseyside.

None of which daunts captain Gareth Nesbit, who begins his sixth season at Westoe's helm.

He said: "We fought our way into this division because we wanted to be among the best in the land.

"We know it is going to be tough, and what better way to test ourselves first off than away from home against a team who we all know are likely to finish up there among the championship contenders?"

And he declared: "Make no mistake, we are not in this league for just a season. We have battled too hard and too long to let it slip.

"All teams must progress, and that means change. What was good last season may need tweaking this season.

"Some fine players have gone, but they have been replaced by others who have experience at this level and, personally, I believe our present squad is stronger."

He pointed to Saturday's 41-0 victory in the third and last preparatory match at West Hartlepool when Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe, somewhat disjointed in the first half, fired after the interval with an effervescent display in the backs that brought five of their seven tries.

Nesbit added: "OK, it was a pre-season game and both sides made a lot of changes. But they have some very good and dangerous players and they really wanted to beat us.

"Last year we struggled to a scrappy 17-6 league away win, this time we won in some style. That must suggest something."

While change may be necessary, some things, he insists, must remain "absolutely constant".

Those are the camaraderie on and off the field, fuelled by so many players progressing through the club's junior sides, that inspires a play-for-each-other ethos. Recruits must fit into that, and, says Nesbit, recent signings do.

The significance of now being part of the game's elite will, he predicted, reverberate throughout the club.

He said: "We have a wealth of talent in our Colts. What a wonderful motivation they now have to get themselves into the First XV squad and play national rugby.

"It is a long season and there will be injuries. Some of these young ones could find themselves coming off the bench.

"What an education that would be. They would run off far better players than when they ran on.

"Our promotion was a huge positive for the whole club."

Caldy should have travelled to Wood Terrace tomorrow, but because the ground is still occupied by cricketers they agreed to switch fixtures.

Westoe chairman and team manager Duncan Murray said: "It was a fine gesture which solved a difficult problem. We are most grateful."
The kick-off is 3pm.

He urged supporters to make the 190-mile journey to cheer their side on a historic day at Caldy's scenic Paton Field ground overlooking the Dee
estuary and Welsh mountains beyond.

For those with sat-nav, the post code is CH48-1NX.

The Second XV, again led by Rob Lamb, also begin their league programme at Billingham (kick-off 3pm), while the Thirds and Fourths must wait another week before they go into action.