SOUTHEND Rugby Club have already made eight new signings this summer.

The Seasiders are determined to push for promotion after being relegated from National Two last season.

And they have subsequently opted to bring in a number of new faces.

Back rows Lee Guess and Ryan Marshall have both arrived from South Woodham Ferrers, while fellow back row Alan Barker has been snapped up from Rochford Hundred and Chris Rainbow from Hertford.

Centre Mike Stanley has joined on a permanent basis from Saracens after playing on loan at Warners Bridge last season and prop Stuart Day has been signed from Colchester.

Joining them at Southend are centre Gareth Powell from Harlow and fly-half Dan Boughtwood from Scottish side Peebles.

New head coach Andy Holloway is pleased with the way the Seasiders are starting to shape up.

“The new lads have looked excellent, keen and committed in training so far, as have all the squad,” said Holloway.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing them in action when our pre-season games kick off on August 15 against the Leicester Lions.

“We have been lucky in the sense that we’ve kept around 95 per cent of our squad from last season so there is a sense of familiarity about what we are doing, but with enough new faces and aspects to our game to keep everyone fresh and enthused.

“This season will be our longest yet in terms of the number of league games we will be playing so the depth of our squad will be vital as will competition for places.

“There are numerous challengers across the squad for all positions now which will keep everyone on their toes and has given training a bit of an edge to it so far.”