THE captain of Dunfermline Rugby Club's first XV believes that promotion for two of their teams has helped maintain a strong depth of squad for the new season.

Matthew Wilson has also described players moving up from youth squads at McKane Park as a plus as they seek to make their mark on new levels of rugby this term.

The first XV were crowned winners of Caledonia Region League, Division One, to earn promotion to National League Division Four, and a return to such a level for the first time since 2015.

Dunfermline's second XV also made a step-up last season, to Caledonia Midlands Region League Division Two, with Wilson highlighting the players who have elected to stay following those successes.

Prior to the league campaign beginning, Wilson, who along with his team-mates are preparing to face Stewartry in their fourth National League Division Four clash this weekend, explained: "We've not really lost players because we've gone up. We've quite often found it the case where we've finished second in the league, and we've lost four or five guys to go and try and play at a higher level.

"We've not really lost anyone this year from the squad we had last year because we have gone up. Guys want to stay here, and even one or two faces are returning from being here a couple of years ago. They've come back because we've gone up. That's really good to see.

"Everyone's excited to play at a new level, especially for the twos as well, because they've got some really good, strong fixtures ahead this season.

"That'll be good for guys that are pushing to be in the ones. They're not necessarily in the ones at the weekend, and they'll be getting good, valuable rugby on their Saturday as well.

"It's good across the board for the club.

"We've got a good 5-10 guys from the under-18s last year that have come up and got minutes in games during pre-season this year.

"They're showing their worth, and that they want to play here, so that's a positive.

"Those under-18s will definitely get a good taste of senior rugby this year. There's plenty of games going on, whether that's ones or twos. There's a long season ahead, so they should definitely get plenty of minutes under their belt, and a good first experience of senior rugby."