SOUTHEND Rugby Club have begun pre-season training as they look to bounce straight back up into National Two South.

The Saxons will line up in National Three London & SE this term.

And their director of rugby Chris Green cannot wait to get started.

“People might be surprised to hear me say it after we were relegated last season but I’m really looking forward to getting started again,” said Green.

“We’ve got a new coach (Nick Greenhall) coming in who is quality and is going to be responsible for all of pre-season which we’ve had planned for quite some time now.

“I think we needed that freshness and we’ve also got that by bringing in 10 or 11 new players.

“We will be announcing a couple of big signings soon, we have Krijn Twight our Dutch player staying and hope to have Sam Fombo fit all season so what’s not to look forward to really.”

Southend are currently training three nights a week before beginning their pre-season friendlies next month.

The Saxons face Bracknell, Scunthorpe and Canterbury in quick succession before starting the season at Tonbridge Juddian in early September.

And Green is hoping his young side will enjoy a successful season.

“We’re going to be having a real go at it right from the start and we obviously want to be right up there,” said Green.

“We’ve retained a lot of our players and we have some good youngsters coming through as well.

“We always look to develop them here.

“But they will have to play well to get in because it’s a high level we’re playing at.”