ROCHFORD Hundred’s new look coaching team are confident of guiding the club to success next season.

Hundred’s first team coach Michael Guess is now working closely alongside director of rugby Chris Green at Magnolia Road.

And, having been pleased with the start of pre-season training, Guess cannot wait for the forthcoming London Two North East campaign to get underway.

“The players are looking very sharp already and they are going to be very well prepared with the coaching set-up we have here now,” said Guess.

“Chris and I will work in tandem with each other but we’ve brought people in who are specialists now as well.

“James Kellard is defensive coach and he’s someone I’ve known for a very long time.

“He is one of the best defensive players and coaches you could have and it’s great to have him with us.

“Danny Cleare has a lot of good ideas so he’s another great addition as player coach and we’ve brought Chris Garstin in as our new backs coach.

“He’s played for Bath and Bristol in the Premiership so he has a lot of experience and these appointments along with the players we’ve brought in means it’s a very exciting time for the club.

“We will keep working hard and we can’t wait for it all to get underway.”

Rochford’s pre-season friendlies will begin in August with an in-house game before they travel to Leeds for their second friendly.

An intriguing clash with Westcliff will then follow before a clash with Harpenden takes place on the eve of the new season which Green wants to make sure will be one to remember.

“This is one of the best prepared pre-seasons I’ve put together and my job is being made easy by the coaching set up we have here,” said Green, who returned to Rochford after an 18 year spell with Southend came to an end last season.

“We’re looking forward to what lies ahead.

“We’ve brought in 15 to 20 new players and I’ve always been planning for this season.

“Last year I was having a look but we’re ready to go for the new season and we want to go up.

“We’re not hiding that fact and if we don’t achieve it then I think we’ve failed with the players and the coaches we have here.

“We also want to have a good run in the National Cup.

“They are the targets we’ve set ourselves and they are very clear ones but the work for all that starts now.”