Ambitious Roux vows: We're not finished yet

HAVING secured the highest ever finish in their 102-year history, Dorking director of rugby Armand Roux is setting his sights on an unprecedented promotion to National One.

- MATTHEW LUDDINGTON

Under former first-team captain Roux, Dorking are pursuing a distinctive path to success in an age when financial might and recruitment reign supreme. What sets Dorking apart is a deep commitment to nurturing homegrown talent, with 60 per cent of the first-team players having risen through the club’s youth ranks.

After last season’s third-place finish in National Two East, Roux did not believe Dorking required significant recruitment to push on. He said: “We didn’t recruit hugely in the summer. Two backs joined, Craig Holland at fly-half from Rosslyn Park and Thomas Howe, who joined after leaving Saracens. Having a Premiership-calibre player come as a walk-in is a huge bonus.”