LYDNEY captain Sam Arnott says a healthy competition for places will help spur on his teammates ahead of the new South West Premier season.

Arnott has put his latest injury nightmare behind him and is available for the Severnsiders’ opening fixture at Exmouth.

But he believes his side’s start to the season could not be much more difficult as they face four daunting away trips in their first six games.

“We couldn’t have asked for a tougher game,” he said.

“Exmouth and Dings will be at the top end of the table at the end of the season so to play Exmouth away first is a big test.

“They’ve recruited strongly over the summer and have a strong pack and will look to bully us and pick off any penalties so it will be a big ask of our forwards.

“I would be delighted with a win and with four games away in our first six it’d be a great start.

“It gives us a chance to see where we are at and also where we need to be.

“We’ve kept about 95 per cent of the squad and we felt we had to improve things in a couple of certain areas, which we’ve done.

“We’ve got a good strong squad with a lot of competition for places.”