LUCTONIANS will have another opportunity to test their National League credentials when they travel to Webb Ellis Road to play Rugby Lions in the EDF Energy National Trophy second round on Saturday.

Luctonians have twice been beaten in promotion play-offs, most recently against Huddersfield last season but, as current leaders of Midlands One, they are again well-placed to push for a National Leagues place for the first time.

“Promotion would mean more travelling and expenditure but, as a club, we would do whatever we could to support the players, coaches and management,” said former Leicester and Ebbw Vale hooker Dave Thomas, now Luctonians’ director of rugby.

“We are a strong and well organised club and, if we were to get promoted, we would go up with smiles on our faces and enjoy ourselves.

“From our experience of playing clubs in National Three North, we would probably cope with clubs in the bottom half of that division, the top half might be a bit more difficult. Rugby are now in National Three South having level-transferred at the end of last season, but it will be another opportunity to test ourselves against National League opposition.”

Luctonians reached the third round of the EDF Energy National Trophy two years ago before they were beaten at Rosslyn Park. They are back in the competition having won the North Midlands Cup last season with a side coached by Viv Wooley, former Gloucester flanker and coach, who has returned to his roots.