NEW Rossendale head coach Danny Collins is counting down to the days to start of the new season and is excitement builds around the club.

Preparations are well underway and he has not got long before the National Three North campaign kicks off on September 5 with Rossendale away to Wirral on the opening weekend.

Collins has been impressed with what he has seen so far and believes his side are raring to go.

“There is a tremendous spirit in the camp at the moment and training is going really well,” he said.

“Our coaching consultant Mark Nelson has really created a ‘buzz’ and all the boys are responding to his work on the training paddock.”

On the subject of the former Sale and Fylde man Nelson, Collins is in no doubt that this was a top appointment for the club.

“We needed to change and move the club forward and Mark in our opinion was the ideal person to help us to do that as he relates so well to players,” said former Coventry captain Collins.

“He coached me when I was at Sale and had a tremendous influence on me as a player.”

Collins and Nelson are targeting a top four finish in National Three North in 2015/16, but with the club planning on bringing a few youngsters through they are aware it might take a bit of time for them to get up to speed.

“Although our target is top four we aim to introduce a number of our promising youngsters to first team rugby so it could take a few games for them to bed in,” said Collins.

Rossendale have also been active in signing new players with former rugby league and Sedgley Park centre, Tom Jones, a second row from nearby Rochdale and Tongan Sam Atiola from Beverley already on the books with more expected.

Under new captain Steve Nutt Rossendale took on National Two North outfit Otley in a friendly match last weekend.

The fine-tuning will continue on Saturday when the face Kirkby Lonsdale at home.