New captain, James Pritchard, hopes that Bedford Blues can forge another assault on the Championship knockout stages this season after strengthening in the summer with new signings and a host of Saracens dual registered youngsters.
The new campaign kicks off on Saturday with the Goldington Road outfit opening their account at home to Plymouth Albion, and after two play-off wins against the Devon side last term, the Australian-born, Canadian international is confident of a winning start to get their challenge off to a flier.
"There are some good teams in this league but we like to think we can compete with the best, and I have to say that we would be disappointed if we weren't in the play-offs, " said Pritchard. "The new boys have fitted in really well and it's like they have been here for years."
Last season Pritchard was especially frustrated to miss the play-off semi-final against eventual champions Exeter through injury.
He said: "With the type of injury that it was, to my hand, it obviously stopped me playing, but I didn't feel that injured.
“I missed the game with Exeter when I just really wanted to be out there on the pitch.
"Coming from Australia, play-off rugby, where everything matters on one match, is the type of game that I love, so to miss it made it even harder.
“Hopefully this year I'll be able to get involved."
With Pritchard raring to go, there will be a host of young Sarries starlets around him, hoping to make their mark, and director of elite rugby at the RFU, Rob Andrew, believes deals like these are key to developing players for the national team.
Former Blue Dan Cole – who helped officially launch the league's second season with Pritchard at Twickenham last week – is just one example of what can be achieved after time spent in the second tier of the game.
Andrew said: "The league's importance in player development can be seen in the current England set up, where seven or eight of the players, who went on the tour of Australia and New Zealand, gained real experience from this league."
Andrew is expecting an even more competitive division this term, saying that the unpredictability of its inaugural season justified its new format.
"When the Championship came about this time last year, everyone was unsure as to how it would turn out," he said.
"Last year showed how competitive the league is, and showed us all that you can't predict any results."
