FIXTURES for Thurrock RFC men's 1st XV have been released as the club plots a rebuild in Counties 1 Essex (Level 7) after relegation last season.

There will be lots of firsts for Tees as they face off against eight teams for the first time in the club's history, having only played Romford, Chingford and Epping & Upper Clapton previously

The season will kick off with a short trip to Old Cooperians on 6 September with the season culminating in April against the same opponents at Oakfield

Pre-season training is now underway and the club have three matches planned ahead of the league campaign.

A trial match on Friday, 8 August will be followed up by games against Level 6 opposition in Woodford, away on 16 August and Braintree, who won Counties 1 Essex last season at Home on 23 August.