Do the simple things perfectly and never stop competing.

That's the goal of Forbes Rugby Union's new head coach Guy Wilkinson as a new-look Platypi prepare to kick off their 2025 Blowes Clothing Cup campaign against Orange Emus.

Forbes rugby hosts a home game with competition in four grades - Colts, Women's, Second and First XV - at the lake-side oval this Saturday.

Game day comes on the back of a huge few weeks for the club with the annual President's Lunch, trials against Condobolin and Wagga Ag College, and as well as opportunities to hit the training paddock with rugby greats.

Wilkinson has been appointed head coach of our first grade side, and will be working closely with assistants and advisors Dave Hodder and Andrew Hubbard.

Guy's a relative newcomer to the region - moving here 16 months ago and joining the club to coach the women's XV in 2024 - but he's had a long association with the Francis family and is no stranger to the rugby union club.

He described the weekend's trials against Wagga Ag College as outstanding, the club fielding four teams with excellent numbers in all grades.

Things might still be a bit disjointed but the head coach is confident the commitment is there and there's improvement week on week.

"It's obviously a big rebuilding phase for the club but it's just a matter of taking it - the old cliche - of week to week," Wilkinson said.

"The coaching staff certainly believes in them - if they start to believe, we'll start to get some results."

He was certainly happy with the way the first grade side was progressing in the Saturday trial.

"We're embracing a new structure of footy this year," Wilkinson said.

"We have a very young team, probably average age around 23-24, but they're really impressive: the attitude is excellent, the commitment's excellent and we're really looking good for a successful season ahead."

The Women's XV also has a lot of new players, not only to the club but to tackle rugby.

"They really gave a great account of themselves, young Brooklyn Maloney in particular," Wilkinson said.

Fans will see a number of new players, both to town and to the club, when the teams run on this Saturday - although there's no doubt they'll feel the absence of Charlie French, a mainstay not only of the Platypi but also central west and country representative rugby who's hung up the boots.

Leading first grade onto the field will be Jack Hogan, who's moved to Forbes and is working with Elders.

"He's everything you want in a captain ... certainly the man to lead us onto the field and really take the younger guys with him," Wilkinson said.

There are also a couple of new players from France joining the team, alongside local juniors like Jack Cole who's proving his worth in the centres.

There'll be play in four grades, including Colts and Women's, and Wilkinson is adamant the whole club is committed to the success of all.

"We just want a club-first mentality and that's agreed upon right across the coaching staff," he said.

The coaching team for the club is:

Second XV: Head coach Brendan Hayes with Brett Stace and Rohan Leach

Colts: Head coach Greg Moxey with assistant Steven Jarrick

Women's XV: John Cole and manager Amy Townsend