Miles – It’s no secret we’re going for the title

Raiders get their season underway at Roundstone Lane against Bournemouth on Saturday – a week later than the rest of the league after their scheduled opponents, Rugby Lions, were removed from the league.

Miles has revealed the whole squad is raring to go after finishing third last season and said: “We want to finish first and get promoted straight up rather than going through the play-offs, although obviously we will do that if we have to.

“We have been quite open about it and have to back it up now, but, thankfully, we have got the squad now to do it. We have got a bit more depth which is important and will mean we won’t be having to patch people up a few days before a game just to go again like last year.

“We have got some old faces back, some new ones with the academy guys and a couple from Chichester and some youngsters as well, so it’s looking good.”

Raiders have re-signed Greg Sullivan and signed Jordan McIntyre, from Barking, Scott Varlow and Billy Toone, both from Chichester, as well as Harlequins Academy duo Jordan Burns and Harry Sloan.

Miles added: “The whole team is raring to go. We have had a good pre-season and, although it was a shame not to have our first game last week, it has given us an extra week off and for the bumps and bruises of pre-season games to go down.”

Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm. Entry is now £10 for non-members and £7 for members.