Pre season for Enniskillen Skins has been going well according to coach, Stevie Welsh.

With just over a week to go until the start of their league campaign, Welsh has been pleased with how his squad have acquitted themselves over the last few months.

And while there are not many new faces in the playing ranks, among the management team, there are some familiar faces stepping into coaching roles.

“Pre season has been brilliant. We started a wee bit earlier than we normally did and focussed on strength and conditioning and gym work. We brought in Ryan Cathcart as S&C coach this year which is a fantastic addition.

“Ashley Finlay unfortunately couldn’t stay on with the school rugby commitments so we have Nick Finlay in as well.

“Ash will probably laugh that it has taken two boys to replace him but no, we have Nick and Ryan in and they both bring great energy to the thing and the boys are buying in.”

Welsh has played with and coached both players and he is confident they will be a positive as Enniskillen look to be successful in the coming season: “

“I played rugby with Nick and Ryan for a long time and I trust them both massively which is really important for this.

“And they both know what style I want to play and the ethos and discipline we need and they both have it.

“To have them two boys in again is massive. A real shame to lose Ashley, he has done fantastic work over the last few years and credit to him.”

One sour note for Enniskillen is the absence of their captain Steven Fox who injured his knee in May and will be out for the whole season.

But Welsh will be able to call on Reece Barrett, Paul McConkey and Sam Balfour this season.

“We have Reece Barrett back from university which is massive. He’s a great big second row, popular guy in the squad and adds a good bit of weight and power to the pack.

“Paul McConkey, just out of school, at scrum half has fitted in really well.

“Sam Balfour is back now from uni. He’s an aboslutely electric winger and can finish anything, so he will be brilliant.”

Enniskillen have played Sligo and Armagh in pre season games over the last two weekends. And they will take n Armagh again this Saturday in their final pre season outing before the league begin.

And so far, what Welsh has seen in those games has impressed him: “We had a hit out down in Sligo two weeks ago and then we had Armagh last week.

“No injuries picked up and fitness levels seem to be good so we are going in the right direction.”