SWINDON skipper Adam Westall will be looking to ensure his team’s form can last deep into the season when they return to training this week.

The club, who are celebrating 120 years in existence, are notorious for starting the season well but tend to see their form drop off come Christmas.

Westall, who is now one of the senior figures in the team, is set to remain as club captain, with director of rugby Martin Popowicz, head coach Sean Lynn and conditioning coach John Popowicz all staying to build on last year’s fourth-placed finish.

“I think the break was well-earned,” said Westall, whose team begin pre-season training at 6.50pm this Thursday, at Greenbridge Road.

“We finished off the season pretty well and turned it back on and managed to sneak into fourth.

“The majority of the squad will get back together on Thursday and we’ll crack on for another season.

“We’re a side that start the season well. We put a lot of effort into pre-season and getting our structures right.

“I think what we’ll be looking at this year is how we maintain that going into the Christmas break.

"We always seem to fall a bit flat at that point in the season and try and make our structures a little bit more advanced going into this year.

“We’ll look to build on what we have done in the last three years and try and go one better and finish in the top three this year.”

Swindon will also be hosting the annual Swindon Sevens Rugby Festival on, Saturday, July 18.

Last year’s finalists - Ponty Butchers and Public School Wanderers - will be competing alongside Swindon's Silverbacks, who will be looking for more success at their home tournament after winning the Tuborg Cup at this year’s Bournemouth Sevens.

The first pool games will start at 11am and matches will run through the day, with the final at 6pm.

Entry is free and, as well as the rugby, there will be a family fun day run by SMASH, raising money for their continuing work in Swindon.