SIMON GAYNOR knows what it takes to be a success in National One.

Forward Gaynor joins Raiders after helping Ealing Trailfinders to the title and promotion to the Championship last season. He has also won the league with Esher and is 11 games short of a century in National One.

So when he says Worthing’s home form will be crucial, his team-mates better take note.

Gaynor, 28, said: “From what I have seen from training and the pre-season games, and also from promotion from National Two South, I think Worthing will bed in.

“We have to make this place something of a fortress. I know that is a cliché but we have to win every home game and then try and pick up something on the really long road trips.

“A lot of National One clubs are in London so I don’t think the travelling is going to factor in those matches. We should be able to really challenge in those games.

“It will be when we are in the dark corners of Newcastle and beyond that we will have the tests of character. But these boys have been in big games already and shown they can match those tests.”

Gaynor reckons Worthing will notice the divide when they step up to the third tier.

He said: “From what I have heard and seen, it is the difference between the ‘haves and have nots’.

“Money is a huge factor in regard to coaches, facilities and recruitment. Worthing are very lucky that they are in a wide catchment area with a lot of talent. “If they can battle against players like myself travelling into London and the hot-bed of rugby there, then I think we shall be on to a winner.”

Gaynor, a teacher at Steyning Grammar School, has been impressed with the attitude at Raiders.

He said: “From Dawson and Nick (Buoy) all the way down, it is all about being ambitious and not just settling for consolidation.

“We want to finish as high as we can. People are talking about is finishing between sixth and eighth and if you look back over past seasons at teams like Richmond and Old Albanians before that, they have done well in their first year at least."