SIXWAYS favourite Neil Lyman admits competition for places in the pack will be fiercer than ever as Worcester Rugby Club once again go for promotion.

The prop, who was one of the unsung heroes of last year's campaign, is facing a new test as he prepares for the season starter against Manchester on September 1.

Along with three new coaches, John Brain, Steve Townend and Peter Finch has come the imposing figure of Argentine international prop Alejandro Moreno who, Lyman believes, will be pushing hard for a starting place.

"With the new players coming in, the pre-season seems more intense because you are fighting for your place," he said. "Straight from the off, you have to prove that you should be in the team because of the new coach. With Alejandro coming in, who has played a couple of times for Argentina, he's obviously a very good player and that in itself keeps you on your toes. You make sure you train that little bit harder."

The 31-year-old former Kidderminster player has recently returned to training following his marriage and was very aware straight away that the honeymoon period was over.

"The training has been hard but good. At the end of the day, you know it's doing you good. It's going to put us that much further ahead of the rest of the teams in the league. We are literally running every single day and everybody seems to be knackered including the backs who are a lot lighter than myself!"

And Lyman has been pleased with the new head coach Brain whose style, he admits, suits him down to the ground.

"John has a typical Gloucester attitude of getting on with the job in hand and not pandering to people. We are all here to do a job and that is what he expects. I am more than happy with that."