Bridgwater and Albion have reached the next stage of their five-year plan to compete at the highest possible level.

Director of rugby Mike Tewkesbury has signed up 24 of last year's squad for next season and is close to making more signings to fill key positions.

Albion have also recruited several young local players to join the elite development programme at Bath Road.

Tewkesbury said: "We have been working hard to sign players with a view to fast tracking into the senior set up."

He added: "All of the ten players that we have signed have played some sort of representative rugby and all have great potential.

"They will bring considerable strength to the squad as a whole and the club could also benefit greatly from their development in a couple of years time.

"We are obviously looking to bring these youngsters up to speed as soon as possible and even give them runs in the first team next year if they are ready."