Canterbury Rugby Club will mark their return to National League 2 South next season with a trip to Bournemouth on September 1.

After being relegated from National 2 South last year, Canterbury booked a rapid return to that division by winning National League 3 London & South East title in impressive fashion, winning 24 of their 26 games.

Bournemouth achieved an even better record in winning National League 3 South West, also winning 24 out of 26 games but achieving two more bonus points than Andy Pratt's side.

Canterbury's first home game will be at home to Barking at Merton Lane on September 8. In contrast to Bournemouth, the Essex side experienced a miserable campaign, finishing bottom of National league 1 with just seven wins in 30 games.

Canterbury will then face successive away games at Lydney and Worthing before a home match on September 29 against Chinnor, who defeated Tonbridge Juddians in a promotion play-off after Judds had finished runners-up behind Canterbury.

With Westcombe Park relegated from National League 2 South this season, it means Canterbury will be the only Kent representatives in the division next season.

Meanwhile, Fijian World Cup star Nicky Little has been appointed director of the new Canterbury Elite Rugby Academy.

The 35-year-old fly-half played 71 times for the Pacific island nation, scoring 670 points, and was the architect of their famous 2007 win over Wales. He will head the rugby academy, which is jointly funded by Canterbury RC, Simon Langton Boys' School and Canterbury Academy.

Canterbury are also hoping that Little will play for them next season, with club chairman Giles Hilton saying: "These are exciting times for us at the moment. We are delighted to be part of the Canterbury Elite Rugby Academy and the appointment of Nicky Little can only give the academy the lift it needs to ensure long term success."