Last season Robb experienced mixed first grade fortune after it was bundled out in the semi-finals to big improvers Baa Baas. Despite that finals result Robb enjoyed success over all other first grade outfits results president Jack Grant says the side can build upon this year.

“We definitely feel we can give the title a shake and improve on what happened last year,” he said.

“Last season we beat all other first grade sides before we had our injuries.

“We’ve lost four players from last season’s first grade squad but overall we’ve got players we think can step up and play well for us.”

Grant said despite a limited pre-season to date, big training numbers confirmed there is good internal interest in their upcoming season.

“We started training as a club last Tuesday and we’ve had around 50-55 guys at official training over the past three weeks, so things are looking good,” he said.

Robb will get an early measuring stick of their pre-season match form when it plays premier St Albert’s at 6pm tomorrow ahead of another trial on Saturday at Barraba. In coming weeks Robb will then play in the Armidale rugby knockout and the Guyra 10s.

Gordon Williams will again coach Robb first grade.

Robb celebrates 51 years of rugby on April 28. The Robb Old Boys will return for that weekend which is the official start to the APJ Law rugby season.