And on the side of the pitch will be the new forwards coach, former Newcastle Falcons and Italian international Carlo del Fava, and local hero David Haswell who will coach the backs. The set-up is completed by new assistant coach Haydn Richards.

Howells said: “It’s been a really good preseason. Carlo del Fava is one hell of a good coach and with David we’ve got a good mixture and it is working really well.

“I am really pleased with what we’ve done and what we’re going to put out on Saturday. It’s a team that has trained hard so it’s been a very good preseason. We’ve got a lot of enthusiasm in there this year. There’s a good feeling within the squad.

“I am very positive. I think it’s one of our better preseasons for a long, long time. Technically we are a lot better set up than we have been for the last few years I think.

“Carlo has brought a lot of technical ability. He works on the little bits that make the difference and he is very good at that. He doesn’t run a drill for the sake of running a drill. He runs it to make a difference.”

The improvement to the first team squad also sees Reggie Fassa make the step up from the seconds and Howells has also made a number of other signings who will have to wait for their debuts.

And the recruitment drive hasn’t finished there.

He said: “We’ve got a good little side but we need to add a little bit of bulk to the pack and I’ll do that in the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a couple of irons in the fires and I’m hoping to sign one this week.”

Westoe’s preparations for the new season has seen them travel to Kelso, which is always a tough place to go, and only lose by three points and last weekend they gained a victory over Billingham in the County Cup Quarter Finals.

Howells said: “We played at Billingham last week and the boys did well. We took 22 players, we used them all and to be honest we were well on top. We were quite tight in the scrum and pushed them around the park.”

And it’s not just the new faces that are creating a positive environment with familiar faces, both old and young, playing their part.

Howells said: “Matthew Mellish is away for two weeks so Chris Judson, he’s been training, he starts at nine.

“But we’ve got a lot of young lads coming through so I’m quite pleased with that. Sam Gaff starts at eight on Saturday so that’s a big step for him but he did well at Billingham last week, scored a good try and stood well in that role.”

It isn’t all positive however with Andy admitting the moves out of the club have had an effect.

“We have lost players and we are struggling to run two teams this year, I’ve got to be honest with that,” he said. “But we are sticking with the second team in the second team league. Although they are up against the likes of Blaydon, Mowden and Tynedale, we’ll stick them in the Candy League and see how they go, because it’s one hell of a high level that. So we need to.”

The seconds begin that Candy League campaign at home to Morpeth.

Kick off in both games is at 3pm.