Fylde RFC's new faces are a big bonus going into derby day

However, team boss Chris Briers thinks that could be an advantage in the Woodlands derby against Preston Grasshoppers (3pm).

There were seven debutants in Fylde’s starting 15 when they launched their National Two North campaign with a 38-19 defeat at Sheffield last weekend, with three more new squad members among the replacements.

Hoppers also warmed up for the derby with an opening-day defeat – 32-30 at home to Chester – and Briers, Fylde’s joint-head coach, told The Gazette: “A lot of our players have not been around the derby before and don’t know too much about it.

“I see that as a positive because, in past years, there has been so much fuss about these games that people have ended up performing within themselves.

“Some of our new players see it as just another game and that’s exactly what I want.”

He certainly didn’t want the new-look side to start the way they did in South Yorkshire.

They went 21-0 behind after losing hooker Sam Parker to a first-minute head injury and captain Toby Harrison to the sinbin soon afterwards.

Briers added: “Sheffield are obviously a good side, having finished third last season, and they just do the basics well.

“They look after the ball and eventually they look to break you down. I thought we defended very well but, with the amount of ball they had in the first half, it was very difficult.

“It’s never ideal to lose anyone to a head injury but, for it to happen in the first minute of the season, it’s a shame because Sam ended last season very well – but there’s plenty of rugby left in this season for him.

“He misses this Saturday after a head assessment but we hope to get him back soon.”

As for Harrison’s yellow card for a high tackle, Briers added: “Referees do look to set their stall out at the start of the season and so we expected a few more in the game, which didn’t happen.

“We’ve watched it back and Toby does hit under the ball. It felt a bit harsh and there were others that seemed worse.”

Early setbacks aside, Briers agrees with fellow head coach Alex Loney that Fylde are starting in better shape than last season and with much cause for optimism.

“We had a strong pre-season and we are in a better position. We’ve certainly got more depth to the squad,” he said.

“We had a handful unavailable at Sheffield but it’s nothing like last year, when we started the season with several long-term injuries.

“The new players are gelling and they all seem to get on well.

“Most importantly, we have a group who want to improve and to make the squad better.”