WELLINGTON'S rugby skipper Danny Lee will almost certainly lead the side into action in Saturday's opening match of the season at home to Cullompton in Regional Two South West (Sept 7, 3p.m.).

Lee picked up an knee injury in training recently and did not play in the pre-season friendly at Bridgwater last week.

"We decided to let some of the players have more game-time," said Wellington's head coach Graham Dawe. "We had some Colts from last season in the squad and they did particularly well."

Lee was in the Somerset squad at the end of last season and enjoyed plenty of ‘game time’ despite being on the bench. Lee is a very influential player for Wellington who will obviously want him playing as much as possible during what is going to be a big season for the club..

Wellington go in Saturday's opening fixture on the back of an impressive 32-12 away win over Bridgwater & Albion - their only warm-up game leading up to the new season. The Hodgson brothers George and Will (2) scored tries for Wellington along with others from Ash Harney and Charlie Snow. Full back Alex Davey, who also suffered an injury scare in training only recently, enjoyed a 100 per cent success rate with his kicking, landing five conversions for the visitors who used a total of 26 players.

The Cullompton match will be the first in Wellington's 150-year anniversary season and Dawe hopes the players ‘will make this club proud.’

The former England and Bath hooker said: “We want to make sure this club is around for another 150 years. “We want to enjoy our rugby - not only on it but off it. Obviously we want to finish as high up the league as possible.

“That means training consistently and in numbers. Everyone will enjoy their rugby more if they do this. It is all about development."

In the league last season, Cullompton gained a convincing 44-10 home victory over Wellington in October, but Wellington gained revenge in the return fixture at the Athletic Ground, winning 10-5 in early February.

The sides also met in the Papa John's Cup in mid-April with Wellington winning 30-24 in the thrilling match. They led 22-5 at the interval and scored another try before the Devon side hit back and might have won if they game had gone on any longer.

Senior fixtures for Wellington this month are: Regional Two South West, lst XV, Sept 7 home v Cullompton, 14 away v Newton Abbot, 21 home v Wadebridge Camels, 28 away v Okehampton.

Three Somerset South, 2nd XV Sept 7 away v Hornets, 14 home v Crewkerne, 21 away v Wyvern, 28 home v Weston super Mare.