WITH the new season only a month away there is an air of optimism at York RI RUFC.

New director of rugby Andrew Morse and coach Chris Leathley are confident that there will be competition for places as the club has some quality youngsters coming through the ranks.

RI's youth section were in great form at the recent Tag Tournament in Harrogate while all last season's Yorkshire Two squad are available, leaving the New Lane men in a position of strength.

Morse and Leathley are taking training every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm and the club have arranged a pre-season game at Castleford on Saturday, August 21 (3pm) when the whole RI squad will get a run out.

RI open their league campoaign with a visit to Bramley Phoenix park on Saturday, September 4.

Updated: 11:23 Friday, August 06, 2004