FOLLOWING eight weeks of intensive pre-season training, Blackheath rugby league club open up their new campaign against promoted Nuneaton on Saturday, writes Jack Kay.

The opener, at The Rectory Field, will give the first indication whether friendlies against Pertemps Bees, London Wasps and Richmond have improved the team.

Coach Harvey Biljon said: "We are taking every game one at a time and making no predictions but I do know we'll do better than last season."

Plenty of new blood has been introduced to the team including Shaun Manning, an exciting scrum-half from New Zealand as well as Martin Olima, a fullback-cum-winger, and winger Martin Lacey from Launceston.

Club have also captured James Kellard, a former Barking flanker and the prop captain of Loughborough College Matt Webber.

Tony Skurr, the former Barking centre; Matt Vaughan from Canterbury; New Zealand's John Paul Filler, centre Tim Foster and Matt Corker, all from Wasps, also join the ranks.

Moreover, Club welcome back prop Gary Smith who missed last season through injury.