DINO Radice has sparked a rugby revolution at Ramsgreave Drive as he prepares a new-look Blackburn for the rigours of the 2016-17 campaign.

Radice pledged his future to Blackburn after guiding them to safety in North West One last term, but he has spent the summer restructuring the club, from junior level to the senior squad.

“We’ve made several significant signings, on and off the field, and without doubt we’ll probably have the best professional coaching team Blackburn’s seen,” said Radice.

“The new faces will increase the competition in the squad, and hopefully it can be the start of something special here.

“One day I want to lead Blackburn to National League rugby.

“I think that is a realistic goal and we have laid a big foundation stone.”

One of the most significant captures is former Lancashire and Fylde man Tom Lavelle.

He has joined the ranks, acting as player-coach with a role of working with the forwards at Ramsgreave Drive.

Lavelle will be joined in the pack by back row forward Craig Dootson from Hutton, while Luke Cunningham has also returned to the club.

Cunningham is a popular figure, who skippered Blackburn to promotion a couple of years ago, and will take on the role as lead coach and work alongside director of rugby Radice.

“Last season was all about consolidation, making sure that we stayed in the division and we achieved that,” added Radice.

“However, it was very hard work and it was a significant challenge.

“At times last season I certainly felt that I was on my own a little bit, as I was working as head coach and director of rugby, and I needed a bit of help.

“It was a huge commitment and one I enjoyed, but in the final quarter of last season I woke up to the fact that you can’t do everything on your own.

“When I stepped back I realised that it was important that I added to the coaching team and spread some of that workload.

“I think I’ve achieved that because the guys coming in have a rich pedigree, in terms of playing the game and their coaching abilities, and it will also help attract extra players here.

“Tom Lavelle, for example, played for the county and the forwards will benefit hugely from his experience and knowledge.

“It is a major coup bringing him here, he is a fabulous coach and a very good player.”

Radice has kept the majority of last season’s squad together, while also adding Wilf Whittle, a hooker/back row from Fylde, while Jake Maher has also joined from the Fylde club.

Another new face is Ed Sinclair and Radice added: “Ed has moved north with his work and has signed for us.

“He was playing at a very good level down south and it is a very good addition to the squad.

“Most of all, though, I want a happy club, lads who have respect for the sporting ethic and we’ve got some great characters here who embrace that.” Blackburn open up their new league season with a tough-looking opener against Kirkby Lonsdale at Ramsgreave Drive on September 3.

They then face a trip to Eccles a week later before a home date against Altrincham Kersal.

They complete September against Birkenhead Park at Ramsgreave Drive.

“It is a tough start, and Kirkby Lonsdale will be a hard fixture, but we’ll be ready for that challenge when it comes,” added Radice.

Before that, though, they will be in pre-season action next Saturday (August 13) when they travel to take on Ilkley (1.30pm) which will be a curtain-raiser for the match between between Yorkshire Carnegie and Premiership Bath (6pm, ko)

“It is a really nice fixture and a great honour for Blackburn to be involved.”

Blackburn meet Rossendale in another friendly fixture a week later before they travel to Rochdale in the first round of the Lancashire Trophy on August 27.