SOUTHEND Saxons’ director of rugby Chris Green is excited by his side’s tough start to the forthcoming National Two South season.

Saxons kick-off the campaign at home to Chinnor before facing most of the top teams in the first two months.

But Green believes that could well work to his side’s advantage.

“I don’t really look into fixtures too much because you all play each other twice but I do think it could work to our advantage playing most of the top teams early on,” said Green.

“It will sharpen our minds and sharpen us as a team quite early on in the season which is a good thing.

“Last year we had an easier start but it didn’t work in our favour so hopefully this will because we need to do much better this year.”

Southend avoided relegation on the last day of the previous campaign, finishing ahead of Lydney on points difference.

SEPTEMBER: 5 Chinnor (H), 12 Redruth (A), 19 Old Albanians (H), 26 Canterbury (A).
OCTOBER: 3 Taunton (H), 10 Worthing (A), 17 Clifton (H), 24 Old Elthamians (A).
NOVEMBER: 7 Barnes (H), 14 Launceston (A), 21 Redingensians (H), 28 Dorking (H).
DECEMBER: 5 Bury St Edmunds (A), 12 Cambridge (H), 19 Bishops Stortford (A).
JANUARY: 2 Redruth (H), 9 Old Albanians (A), 16 Canterbury (H), 23 Taunton (A), 30 Worthing (H). 
FEBRUARY: 6 Clifton (A), 13 Old Elthamians (H), 20 Barnes (A).
MARCH: 5 Launceston (H), 19 Redingensians (A), 26 Dorking (A)
APRIL: 2 Bury St Edmunds (H), 16 Cambridge (A), 23 Bishops Stortford (H), 30 Chinnor (A).