Head coach Matt Corker wants Canterbury RFC to become one of the most connected clubs in the country.

They have returned for pre-season training and played their first home friendly at home to Bishop’s Stortford on Friday night, losing 38-21, ahead of their National League 2 East campaign.

Hooker Nathan Morris, lock Dave Irvine and back row Cameron Murray have all joined while Freddie Edwards, Charlie Kingsman and Harry Andrews - brother of women’s captain Charlotte - are also in their ranks for the new campaign.

Former England under-20 player Morris will take on a new role as the club’s Head of Player Pathway.

Corker is hoping to create a really united feel at the club, saying: “We are trying our absolute best for it to be that way.

“That’s not just men’s to women’s, it’s also first-team to 2nds and 3rds and so on. Nathan will be a big part of that.

“We are trying to be one of the most connected clubs in the country. It’s a big job.

“But at the same time, if you can achieve it, it helps attract players.”

Corker also discussed the arrivals at The Marine Travel Ground with the signing of Morris, who has top-class experience at Wasps and London Welsh, a coup.

“One of our real big successes is we signed Nathan Morris,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to play with Nathan and he went on to have a really good career.

“We have also created a role for him at the club, he’s going to help prepare our minis and youths. Hookers are in short supply in the South-east but we have found someone of a really nice calibre.

“We have signed Cameron Murray as well. He spent the last six months in South Africa and he has come pretty much straight from there.

“He’s really energetic and really influential as well.

“Harry Andrews is another coming in. His sister is our women’s captain.

“Due to the restructure and having to travel less, we have managed to get some older players to come back. Charlie Kingsman is returning. Having him back is great.

“Freddie Edwards has come back as well.

"The other one I should mention is Dave Irvine, who has come back from Tonbridge Juddians. He spent some time on loan with us. He’s such an energetic guy.”

Irvine returns to Canterbury after a brief loan spell last season and Corker believes his first stint helped attract him back.

Corker said: “I hope so. He definitely seemed like he enjoyed it.

"He gave me some great feedback on what we are doing. That’s what you want to hear from someone like him, it’s a real compliment.”

Their league season will not commence until the start of next month but Corker accepts their September 3 season opener at North Walsham will come around quickly.

He said: “It always does. We do two five-week blocks.

“The first is a lot of fitness because the group is different every year. Then, the next five weeks there’s a lot more to be done.

"The season will be here before you know it.

“We have a big first month.

"We know that will be a challenge but it’s something we are looking forward to.”

In the friendly against Bishop's Stortford, pace and accuracy shifted the contest decisively the away side's way as they dominated the second and third quarters.

With the away side being just one score in front after the opening 20 minutes, the National Division 1 side ran in another five tries to remind Canterbury of their status.

When the chances were created through sure handling and quick-thinking, they put them away and - while the home side's competitive instincts never deserted them - their lack of accuracy and basic errors hobbled their ambition in attack.

That said, Canterbury did hit back strongly in the final quarter of a match which was played in 20-minute blocks, with frequent changes to accommodate expanded squads.

Stortford had to defend solidly in the early stages before their backs served notice by creating an overlap try for Charlie Parkhouse, converted by Dan Cole.

The lead didn't last long as Will Waddington latched on to a shrewd kick from fly-half Reynolds for a Canterbury touchdown which Reynolds converted.

Scrum-half Connor Lloyd sniped over to recapture the advantage for Stortford but, in the next 40 minutes, they really took command. Tries from Jake Morris (2), Parkhouse, Charlie Garwood and Luke Bury, plus three conversions by Cole, put them well clear.

The final session, however, saw Canterbury roar back thanks to a pack which dominated the set scrums.

Their work was rewarded with a pick up and strong finish from number eight Andrews.

Tom Best converted and, on a pitch that was in top class condition in this hot, dry summer, they ended on high note when Best's break set up a converted score for fellow centre Frankie Morgan.