SOUTHAMPTON RFC club captain Tony Cador has been spotted wearing the blue and gold of fellow Hampshire outfit Gosport & Fareham.

But he has not defected to the London Two South outfit - he is just trying his hand at rugby league in an effort to keep himself fit during the summer.

Cador, pictured, has been playing for the Gosport & Fareham Vikings side, the league arm of the Dolphin Crescent club, in the RL Summer Conference this season and has made an immediate impression.

He scored three tries on his debut against the Royal Navy Academy XIII before being called into the G & F squad for their clash against Kingston Warriors.

He also added the only two tries in their 68-10 defeat at leaders West London Storm last week.

"At Southampton, I get castigated for not passing but in league, you don't have to," he said. "This game is a lot easier than union is and has given me a whole new lease of life."

However, being from the 'other' south coast city did have its problems for Cador, 29.

"I didn't know what to expect, especially as I am from Southampton, but Gosport have made me very welcome and I am really enjoying the experience.

"It is a great way of keeping me fit ahead of the London Four South-West season that starts in September."

Marcus Coffin, the Saints prop forward, was another who was keen to join the 13-men-a-side runabout but he is soon to become a father and declined the invitation.

"I can't get enough of it," continued Cador. "I am training Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and have a game on a Saturday, as well as regular sevens, so I am like a machine at the moment."

He is, though, very committed to continuing as captain of Southampton despite the continued interests of the G & F coaching staff and players.

"I have only played there for two weeks but I have heard 'You coming to join us, then?' a thousand times!

"But I am very excited about the new season ahead with the Saints. Training has already started for us and we have a handful of new players who are looking likely to sign and there is no reason why we cannot give it a real go."

Saints start their London Four South-West year with two home games, opening with KCS Old Boys before hosting Surrey Division One champions Old Amplefordian a fortnight later.