RGC are gearing up for a fourth foray in the Premiership as they take on reigning champions Merthyr.
The North Walians endured their worst finish to a season in the top flight last term, ending in eighth place after their first two forays had seen them in successive fourth place finishes.
There has been a changes at the top in the summer with head coach Mark Jones stepping down to be replaced by former Bridgend chief Matt Silva, while a number of senior players from last season have also elected to move on.
But while it has been a summer of change for the Colwyn Bay-based outfit, hooker George Roberts is confident all the hard work will pay off on Sunday for the visit of the Ironmen.
“It has been a physically and mentally challenging pre-season,” Roberts told the region’s official website.
“Preparing us for a tough first game at home against the champions.
“The boys have been worked hard, and we are in a good place heading into Sunday.”
Evan Yardley was one of a number of players who have moved on this summer, the hooker signing a deal to join Welsh Cup winners Cardiff, while Tim Grey and Sam Wainwright have also departed.
And Roberts is keen to lay down a marker for the number two jersey following Yardley’s exit.
He added: “We all have an opportunity to claim a place in the squad, so individual performances will be key.
“The new boys have come in and are all competing for the shirt, and it makes training pretty intense as well.
“It is always good to kick the season off at home, and we are hoping for a big crowd to back us.
“We all love playing in front of a noisy crowd, and we need to give them something to shout about from kick off.”
Sunday’s game against Merthyr, which kicks off at 2.30pm, is the second part of a double header at Parc Eirias, as the under-18s take on their Scarlets counterparts at 1pm on the 4G pitch.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday, September 7 (2.30pm)
Premiership: Swansea v Llanelli, Ebbw Vale v Newport.
Division One North: Bala v Dolgellau, Llandudno v Bro Ffestiniog, Llangefni v Caernarfon, Nant Conwy v Bethesda, Pwllheli v Denbigh, Ruthin v COBRA.
Division Two North: Colwyn Bay v Rhyl, Newtown v Mold, Shotton Steel v Bangor, Teirw Nant v Llanidloes, Welshpool v Wrexham.
Division Three North: Holyhead v Wrexham 2nds, Machynlleth v Flint, Mold 2nds v Llangefni 2nds, Pwllheli 2nds v Denbigh 2nds, Rhos v Menai Bridge.
Sunday, September 8 (2.30pm)
Premiership: RGC v Merthyr.
