NEW Newbridge director of rugby Damien Cooper knows how difficult life can be in the Welsh Premier Division - he played in it and captained the side before his retirement only at the end of last season.

So when he says people can expect an improvement at Newbridge this season (they finished 13th of 16 last time) the chances are there will be.

"It is fair to say we under-achieved last season, for no obvious reason," said the former flanker, "but I honestly believe that this season we have a better quality squad and greater strength in depth.

"There is a good buzz in the club and while the hope is for a top six finish, the main aim is to improve on last season and to have a good cup run.

"Newbridge have always been difficult to beat at home and once again we want to make sure clubs don't look forward to playing at the Welfare Ground.

"But I believe the squad changes will ensure we do better away from home and will ensure we are able to vary our game a bit more.

"In the past we have also lost the odd silly game and again I think this season we must ensure we don't lose games we know we should win."

It has been a tough introduction to a new role for Cooper, but the closeness of his past relationship with coaches Mike Watkins and Jonathan Westwood is sure to benefit the club.

And though summer recruitment has been hard, he certainly looks to have done a good job with a mixture of one or two well-known names, others not so well known and some promising youngsters.

In the past week centre Paul Jones has rejoined the club while Brynmawr prop Dean Alexander, recovered from a knee injury, has been recruited along with wing Rob Allen, formerly with Newport. These join nine previously announced signings.

In addition, junior All Blacks pair Kevin Busby and Desrae Wellington are due to arrive in Wales on October 1. Powerful lock Craig Blunsdon is also back in training after building a new house, while the club have built for the future by recruiting four promising players straight out of youth in Tom Lampard, Rhys Hallett, Ross Jones and Alex Morgan.

They will train with the club on Tuesdays while signed and playing for Fleur-de-Lys, one division down, with the aim of joining Newbridge full time next season.

"They have all done excellently in pre-season, helping us win the rugby festival at Bracknell where we beat the home side and Reading before overcoming Ebbw Vale in our final match.

"They all want to play for Newbridge and hopefully they will come through and we will be looking to continue to encourage young local players," added Cooper.

One thing the club will certainly be hoping to avoid is injuries. Already props Craig Fitzpatrick (who faces a knee operation) and Rhodri Davies (who has a stress fracture) will be out for a while, though fortunately Newbridge have four other props in a larger 32-man squad.

First game up on Saturday is a tough one, away to newly-promoted Llanharan who will be keen to make a flying start.

"We would have preferred to have gone there later in the season," agreed Cooper, "but at least we know what to expect.

"We travelled to Narberth a couple of seasons back for our opening game when they were newly promoted and came unstuck."