PRESTON Grasshoppers Colts, winners of the Lancashire Cup for the last three seasons, will aim for national honours by joining more than 90 clubs in the quest for a new trophy.

The National Colts Knockout competition, which is being run for the first time, is the brainchild of East Midlands Rugby Union, and is welcomed by the Lightfoot Green club which has been forced to travel further afield in recent seasons in the search for competitive games.

Hoppers' first tie from a regionalised draw is a home fixture against New Brighton on a date to be agreed.

Success would take them into a draw involving the top 16 clubs in the Northern and Midlands divisions.

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