SOUTHEND Saxons’ co-captain Ben Lloyd is setting his sights high ahead of the London One North season.

Southend kick off their campaign against Colchester at Warners Bridge this weekend.

And, despite expecting a number of tough tests this season, Lloyd wants Southend to be up towards the top of the table.

“My goals are always to win every game we play and I know the club’s ambitions are to be there or thereabouts at the top end of the league come the end of the season,” said Lloyd.

“It’s difficult to know which teams have improved over this kind of time off and we’ll only know once the competitive games start.

“But it’s always a really competitive league so it will be a tough campaign.”

Southend have gone 18 months without a competitive fixture after seeing the whole of last season wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.

And Lloyd cannot wait to be back in action.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there,” said the fly-half.

“It’s obviously been a long time coming and we’ve been training on and off for the best part of two years so it will be nice to finally get out there and play.

“Training without games isn’t too much fun so we’re all looking forward to getting back into the games.

“We’ve really missed competitive rugby and the pre-season games have been a nice taster.

“But we’re ready to get back into it now starting on Saturday.”

And it will be a new look Saxons squad taking to the field.

“Naturally there have been a few ins and outs,” said Lloyd.

“I think that will be the same for most teams so I’m looking forward to seeing how those new guys bed into our side and how they can help us improve.”

But it will be a tricky opening day test for the Saxons.

“Colchester are one of the sides that seem to have recruited heavily ahead of the new season with a new pitch and some added investment,” said Lloyd.

“They’ve always been tough opposition so I’m not expecting any change there.

“Whenever I’ve played them previously they’ve managed the game well, used territory well and been anchored by a good set piece.

“It’s going to be a good barometer for us in the first hit out so I’m looking forward to seeing where we are at.”