CINDERFORD director of rugby Paul Morris says his side expects their National Two South season opener at Canterbury to be one of the toughest matches of the campaign.

But while Morris believes Canterbury have had a good pre-season, he adds that Cinderford’s summer went ’as well as we could have expected’.

“We’ve expanded the squad and brought in players who the ones already here can compete with,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of players who can all do the same thing and it will tough making the team selection for Saturday.

“But it will be fair and it will reflect whats gone on in pre-season. We’re looking forward to it but we’re under no illusions that this will probably be one of the toughest games we face this season.

“There’s nothing to choose between us; they won against us at home last year by a few points and we won by a few points, I think we’re quite similar.

“They will want to play it up front and we’ve both got a bit of everything all over the pitch.”

Among the new recruits at Dockham Road this season are Nathan Taylor and Kai Little, who have both impressed Morris.

“I think all the additions we’ve brought in have been good,” he added.

“Nathan Taylor and the tighthead props we’ve had, as well as the winger Kai Little have all been good recruits.

“We see it as a similar situation to last year where we brought in new players and they helped compete and improve with some from the United in Jack Shields and Dale Lemon.

“We’re continuing to improve and the new boys are a match for anyone.”

Morris faces few problems with unavailabilities for Saturday’s curtain raiser, although Sam Goatley is out with a shoulder injury sustained playing Sevens.

Cinderford’s four dual registered Gloucester Academy players are all unavailable with an Under-18s match at London Irish on Monday September 4.