Enniskillen First XV kick off their league campaign at Mullaghmeen this Saturday against Cooke, and captain Gavin Warrington believes they have the squad to challenge towards the top of Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship Division One this season.

“With the mix of boys we have coming into the side along with the boys that are already there, there is definitely a real good mix of new and old,” he said.

“There are a few of the boys stepping back this year, and there will be a few boys from school stepping through. There are the likes of Neil Rutledge and Michael Rooney and a few others that seem to be stepping up, and they look like they will be able to fill the void very well.

“All the young boys coming out of school now seem able to adjust quickly to the game.

“Maybe they are getting better coaching at school than years ago, but they seem to be able to do the job no problem. I feel like we are going to be very competitive this year.”

With last season being declared null and void, it is some time since the team have played sustained competitive rugby, but Warrington believes they are well prepared for the league campaign.

Their run of friendly warm-up fixtures yielded largely positive results, and last Saturday’s conference win over Ballynahinch 2XV by 20-10 was another indication that the squad is in good shape for the league opener.

“Pre-season has gone very well this year,” said the Captain. “It hasn’t been as stop start as last year and we have been able to get a good run at it. Numbers have been very good this year and there are a lot of new faces who seem to have come into the fold very well, so it has been going great.

“I felt in the Bangor game we were in control up towards the last third of the game but then felt we threw it away, although considering they are an AI side, then we didn’t do so badly at all. Generally, all the matches we have played we have done very well.”

In the 2019/20 season Enniskillen were lying third in the league table before the campaign was prematurely halted due Covid-19, and they squad will be looking to match that performance this season as well as complete some unfinished cup business.

“We actually didn’t set any targets this year, but with last season being null and void we didn’t get to play in the All Ireland Cup and it’s been a while since we played in it,” said Gavin.

“My focus would be to have a really good run in it and if possible, it would be nice to have another first at the club and win the All-Ireland Cup, along with our usual top four finish so we can continue playing in that cup next year.”

Gavin himself will be a key player for the squad if they are to achieve their goals for the season, and he cannot wait to get back into competitive action.

“I am looking forward to getting back to it,” he admitted. “It is getting harder and harder every year, but I am definitely relishing it at the moment. On a personal note, I have got a good pre-season and have stayed injury free so far, so I am probably heading into the season a lot fitter and in better shape than I have in the past. I’m feeling good.”

The first match will pitch them against Cooke, who started their league campaign on Saturday with a 10-5 win over CIYMS. Enniskillen will be hoping to provide Cooke with a sterner test at Mullaghmeen, and Gavin believes they have the quality to come out on top.

“Cooke are never an easy opponent and it won’t be an easy game,” he said, “but I do envisage us getting the win. I do think it is within our capabilities, and hopefully we do get the W and get off to a great start.”