I'm sorry, can you run that one by me again! You spent a year in the East Midlands and it whetted your appetite for more! "Yes, I love the lifestyle here in England."

Not, perhaps, the expected comment from a 25-year old Australian, someone brought up in the sunny climate and outdoor lifestyle of the outback; strolling amongst the fruit trees of the family home near Canberra where the nearest neighbours reside a mile away and the coast is a mere 30 minutes drive, showing a preference for – West Bridgford!

But after going back to his native land for four years to complete a degree in environmental science, Richard Windsor opted on a return to England.

Now he’s enjoying life so much, his younger brother Sam, also an exceptionally gifted rugby player, has come to join him.

“It’s a totally different life here, and a lot more varied” explained Richard, before adding with a wry smile “and a lot more concrete!”

The Windsors began their rugby life with the Queanbeyan club where, even at junior level, both boys often played in the same side despite the two-year age gap.

It’s with the Canberra based club that Richard made his first trip to the UK, touring Britain and Ireland while still at school at St Edmunds College in 2001, and later the older brother would graduate to the ACT Brumbies Academy programme, playing in the 2nd tier Super 14 competition.

His Blackheath debut came in the 29-3 home victory over Tynedale in January 2009 and a further 32 First XV appearances have brought five tries.

But it's his creativity in the outside-centre berth that makes Blackheath a better team with his presence.

Richard has quickly risen to become one of the Club's senior men amongst a young and exciting back division and has been rewarded with the vice-captaincy.

“I’d like to think some of my experience will rub off and I can apply some influence” he said, before adding “It does feel a bit strange though”.

However, when it comes to the forthcoming season there is no such reserve.

Whereas most are looking at the top half of the table Richard, who takes his inspiration from former Australian wing Jason Little as well as Formula One driver Mark Webber, has his sights set higher.

“If we can build on some of our performances post-Christmas we’re looking at top four. I think that’s realistic.”

At 185cm (6’3”) and 90kg Sam Windsor is marginally bigger than his elder sibling.

As a specialist fly-half he can be expected to add some typical Aussie flair and inventiveness to the Club midfield (no surprise that he names former international fly-half Stephen Larkham, also from Canberra, as one of his motivational figures, in addition to cricketer Steve Waugh), but it’s also likely he’ll partner his brother at centre.

“This is my first visit to England” said the 23-year old.

“Ideally I would have come sooner but I needed surgery on a long-term injury."

"I’d completed my studies in Canberra so spent a year with Eastern Suburbs in Sydney but I was keen to travel so, once fit, I made the move.”

And Sam will get his wish.

Blackheath’s National League One campaign will take them from the banks of the River Tyne in Northumberland to the former tin mining town of Redruth in deepest Cornwall, and the season will climax with a high profile three-match tour of California and an appearance at the Las Vegas Sevens.

“We’re really looking forward to that one.”

So will the attraction of returning to play high level rugby on drier, firmer pitches, which suit expansive and flowing rugby, not to mention the lure of golden beaches, open spaces and glorious sunshine, draw the Windsors back to their homeland?

Probably, one day!

But just for now all attention is on Blackheath and the exciting prospect of one of the most open and hotly contested National League One seasons for some while. According to Richard,

"We couldn't pick a better club to be with."