Bournemouth RFC: 'We're most dangerous when we're smiling' insists coach

Bournemouth RFC are looking to compete in their new division - and will still be playing their renowned attacking rugby this season.

The Lions will take part in the English National League Two South for the first time in the club's history when they take to the field at Chapel Gate against Canterbury on Saturday, with a few new talented players in the side.

Former London Irish and England schoolboy international Ben Stevenson has been somewhat of a coup for the Dorset club. Lions coach David Dunn's personal relationship with the 24-year-old helped persuade the scrum half to return home.

"Ben and I go a long way back, I coached him at schoolboy level" said Dunn.

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"He was moving back into the area, and it made sense for him to join what we are building."

Stevenson joins Tommy Booth, a former captain of the Welsh schoolboy team and George Drake, an exciting young fly half in the Lions squad, with Dunn already impressed with his new additions.

"The new boys all look absolutely stunning. You just have to watch them in training to see they are extremely fit and skillful and will get the most out of the new coaches we have brought in.

"We said from the outset that we already had a very talented team, and we've been able to bring in a couple of very impressive players.

"We knew the emphasis would be having a strong squad, with the increased physicality and travelling demands in this division."

The Lions have performed well in two pre-season games and can go into their first campaign at the fourth tier of rugby with a lot of confidence. Bournemouth comfortably defeated Gravesend, before also performing well against a Richmond XV - before play was halted due to waterlogged conditions.

Dunn is confident if all goes to plan his side could finish in the top half of the division, but remains wary of the dangers of relegation.

"We're looking forward to a great season. Last year, the two teams that came up got relegated straight away, and that's the last thing we want to do.

"I would expect us to be competing and we could manage a top half finish."

The Lions face a tough year, with a lot of talented teams on the fixture list. However, Dunn insists his side have nothing to fear and will be looking to win every game.

"We play a flamboyant style of rugby and like to keep the ball in hand" added Dunn.

"We're most dangerous when we're smiling and playing attractive rugby and that will continue this season."