CINDERFORD have strengthened their back line ahead of the new National One campaign with the double capture of Danny Pointon and Alistair Bressington from Stourbridge, writes Will Wood.

Scrum-half Pointon returns to Gloucestershire following spells at Guinness Premiership side Northampton Saints and fellow National One team Stourbridge after originally making a name for himself at St Peter's School.

The son of former Gloucester fly-half Dave Pointon, who is now in charge of PE at St Peter's, captained the school in their Daily Mail Cup win in 2006.

Pointon, 20, will put pressure on Cinderford's current number nine, captain, and top try scorer last season, former Sale Shark Paul Knight, with last year's understudy Charlie Simpson-Daniel now on loan at Moseley from Gloucester.

Pointon can also play at 10, as he did in the meeting between the two teams in March when he kicked 11 points as Cinderford won 37-31.

He has also represented England at Under-16, 18, 19 and 20 and once formed a half-back pairing with Wasps and England fly-half Danny Cipriani in 2004 for his county's age group.

Bressington used to play first-class cricket for Gloucestershire before being released in 2004 and turning his attention to rugby union.

The Kings School, Gloucester PE teacher once took a catch for England off Steve Harmison's bowling in August 2004, when acting as 12th against the West Indies to dismiss wicketkeeper Carelton Baugh after Grahame Thrope had broken a finger.

The 29-year-old now plays club cricket for Frocester.

He was second top points scorer in National Two last season with 250 points.

The former Newbury and Moseley player has also represented England Counties. He will compete with Danny Trigg, for the 15 shirt at Cinderford.