There have been excellent numbers at training where the experience of our former lock Chris Webb has been a big boost to Jamie Connolly's coaching team. Chris is Head of Rugby at Yarm School, and a county age coach, so he has succcessfully  completed all the coaching courses  - some lads have actually said they've been really enjoying the sessions.

Hopefully, it will show from the off. Our first three games are against newly promoted sides who will excited and motivated by playing in a higher league - albeit one with a convoluted name. Next week it's Guisborough away followed by the arrival of ambitious Hartlepool - Old Boys to most of us.

There have been the usual comings and goings during the summer. Adam Brown has joined Billingham and Owen Westhorp is playing for Northern, while he is at university in Newcastle.

On the positive side Davy Heckles is back to boost the backs and we have  Adam Coates and Sam Miller on the way to match fitness and Jay Corbett and Jack Angus also training hard and earning their first team places. Sam will be at No 8 for the Stags - his first game since injuring knee ligaments in the warm-up game against Rochdale. 

It's still holiday time and Tim Blades, Adam Hutchinson, Isaac Robinson and Zac Southern are away, while Jake Linghan and Andy Turner have work commitments. So, it's a new look first team pack which takes to the field. Michael Hogan has also been training hard and will join a slimmer Jack Angus alongside Aidan Jackson-Smith in the front row.

Tom Robertson had an excellent first season and he will be the experienced one as he's joined in the second row by the powerful Will Corbett. They'll be supported by an experienced back row with Alex Barker and Chris Atkins on the flanks and Jay Corbett - outstanding against Penrith - likely to revel in the opportunity of stepping out for the first team alongside his younger brother.

If they can secure decent possession the backs look good enough to cause any side serious problems. Davy Heckles is looking sharp in training, and it will be ineresting to see how his partnership with the classy Ollie Connolly develops, It means that Will Hilditch can return to the wing where he has scored most of his tries, with the speedy Lewis Scott on the other wing and the versatile Matt Siddle at full back.

Sam Heron is equally flexible in where he plays and his mercurial talent will be deployed at fly-half alongside a determined Ryan Painter. The skipper no doubt wants to remain top try-scorer and equally keen to bury the memory of last season where promotion just eluded us - mainly thanks to a poor away record in the first half of the season. 

There's a new face on the bench for the first team in the shape of 18 year-old flanker Charlie Kay who impressed in the warm-up games, and he has been joined by fellow Academy teammates Ethan Wilkins and Louis Adamson in "signing on."

Also great to see Colin Cheslin  making a return to rugby with the Stags where his will to win will be invaluable,.