Up to nine Canterbury players are in line to play for Kent when the county side open their championship season against North Midlands at the club’s Marine Travel Ground on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

They are included in an extended squad from which a final line-up will be selected as Kent look to make a swift return to Division One of the Bill Beaumont Cup competition after being relegated last season.

Following the opener at Canterbury, the county’s three match programme involves a trip to meet Somerset and a home game against Devon at the Medway club.

There will be a full day’s rugby at Canterbury on Saturday with an Adult Tag tournament starting at midday.