It’s a rich comment from any prop in the rugby world, but CSU Bathurst bookend Charlie McIntosh has implored his young outfit to use its speed and penchant to throw the ball around in a bid to run the Bathurst Bulldogs ragged on Friday night.

The two Bathurst Blowes Clothing Cup rivals begin their 2017 campaigns under lights at Ann Ashwood Park and McIntosh wasn’t about to throw down the gauntlet to his opposition scrum.

Instead, the veteran student believes CSU will be better served sending the ball wide to utilise the same exuberance of youth that has characterised university teams in the Central West Rugby Union’s top tier for years.

“We’re not the biggest side,” McIntosh said.

“But we’re capable of some pretty decent running rugby and we’ve got enough speed out wide to be fairly good at it too.

“We’ve been training hard and the boys are looking forward to the first game of the season.

“Under lights against the Dogs, it’s going to be a great way to kick-off the season for both clubs and the rugby community.”

McIntosh revealed despite classes not starting until late February at CSU Bathurst, the rugby club has been in full swing for the last three months.

He says that dedication to training will serve the club well throughout 2017, especially after what was a fairly disappointing campaign during last winter.

CSU Bathurst failed to make the finals in 2016, finishing the regular season in eight place, with four wins from 18 games.

In anyone’s book, that’s not a good campaign.

But change at the club has brought about a renewed sense of optimism.

Coach Scott Hatch is a smart operator and in key positions of five-eighth and fullback, CSU boasts arguably two of its best players in Jack Keppel and Lachie Robinson, respectively.

“Everyone probably thinks we haven’t had a chance to train much, but we’ve put in a hard two or three months,” McIntosh said.

“We’ve really enjoyed it and now we’re keen to turn that training into a good performance on the field.”

First grade kicks off at 7.30pm at Ann Ashwood Park, with colts kicking off the round from 5pm.

In other games to opening the 2017 season on, Dubbo Rhinos host premiers Orange Emus, Orange City will play Cowra at Pride Park, Dubbo Roos travels to Forbes to take on the Platypi and Parkes will begin its season at home against Mudgee, a side that welcomes back Rota Setu this season. 

Those four fixtures will be played on Saturday.