ROSSENDALE Rugby Club have been busy both on and off the pitch as they prepare for their first ever season in National Three (North).

The Marl Pits club has won back-to-back promotions via the play-offs and is now working hard to make improvements in preparation for the new season.

Dale have strengthened its playing staff as well as carrying out much needed work on facilities at its Rawtenstall base to get it up to scratch.

The pitch has been dug up and rotated 90 degrees to utilise the naturally ‘drier’ areas of Marl Pits in an effort not to lose as many games to the weather as they did last season - something that almost derailed their promotion push last term.

And the club returns to pre-season training next Tuesday with four new players among its ranks.

Tim Fourie and Arno Cutler have joined from Sedgeley Park, Tom Albion from Fylde while Neil Baxter joins from Guinness Premier League club Wasps.

And with James Squires and Jon Appleton returning to the club and a batch of Colts players now eligible for senior selection, Dale are confident they have the strength in depth required to compete at the higher level.

The club has also made an effort to rebuild its struggling 2nd and 3rd teams.

“Although our priority isn’t promotion, I firmly believe that the First XV can compete at this level,” said manager Mick Barnes. “The regeneration of competitive 2nd and 3rd strings is vital to the development of the club.”

Dave Wood and Danny Collins remain as first team coaches and Wood is exciting about the challenge ahead.

He said: “There is a huge buzz around the club at the moment and real excitement at the challenge ahead.

“Everyone involved is keen to get started and test ourselves against higher quality opposition.”