Ex-Newcastle Knights prop Josh Starling joined Rams under 16s and under 18s players at Waratah Sportsground on Saturday morning, putting the young representative players through their paces in the lead-up to their respective trials.

While the first Western women’s session was held as well, with former St George Illawarra Dragons flier Nathan Blacklock on deck to help the ladies with their session.

Western Rams regional manager Peter Clarke said both Paul McDonald and Kurt Hancock, coaches of the Rams’ under 18s and under 16s sides respectively, were thrilled with their squads start to 2018.

While the women also kicked off the new year with strong numbers.

Clarke said Starling, now playing with Oberon in the Group 10 competition, got in touch with Western to see if he could lend a hand with the junior sides.

“He wanted to come and help. He asked to help out,” Clarke said, an offer happily accepted by Rams officials.

“Just having someone different, an NRL voice there, the kids loved it. Josh was great.”

For the western women, Saturday’s session marked the beginning of the Rams’ 2018 campaign which kicks off on February 10 with a trial match at Muswellbrook.

It’s a short preparation, one Clarke says Western is hoping to be in full swing by the time the southern country championship title goes on the line on March 24, with Illawarra, Canberra and Riverina sending sides on deck for the inaugural tackle title race.

Western’s under 23s also had a training run on Saturday morning in Orange, although it was for interested players.

The squad will gather again on Saturday at 10am at Manildra.

Western’s first under 23s trial match will be against Riverina on March 3 at Forbes, the same day as both under 16s and under 18s sides play a round of the country championship.