YORK RI are looking forward to the new campaign with optimisim after the return of Ian Hassall.

Hassall has rejoined the New Lane club from Harrogate as a player-coach.

Winger Hassall, who played for RI as a youth, has been acquired chiefly as a player but will also help out newly appointed coach Steve Fawcett.

Hassall will have responsibility for coaching the backs while Fawcett will be in charge of the forwards.

They take over from previous coach Andy Morse.

RI spokesman Nigel Lowery said of Hassall: "It's a great signing for us. He is a quality player.

"It's nice to have him back. He will bring a lot to club, both in what he can offer the team and what he has learnt in training at Harrogate."

RI, who competed in Yorkshire Two last season, will this time be in Yorkshire Three due to the league's restructuring.

Gary Pearce will remain in charge of the all-conquering Pocklington club for the eighth successive season.

Pocklington have won three league championships during that time, including their record-breaking efforts last season when they won the North East Division Two title and the Yorkshire Shield, earning them the honour of Rugby World magazine's British Team of the Year.

Pearce, a former dual code Welsh international, knows it will be a difficult task to maintain those standards.

"We had a monumental season but that is history now, and we have to focus on doing it all again and look to build on that success," said Pearce.

"We have managed to improve season on season for a few years now, keeping the nucleus of the side together but adding a couple of quality players each time.

"We might lose a couple of last year's squad but we are hoping to bring a few new players in and overall end up stronger."

Because of the league restructuring, Pocklington will play in the RFU Yorkshire Division which is predominantly the same league they won last season.

Their first match is against last year's runners-up, Cleckheaton, again led by British Lion John Bentley.

They also face a cup re-match against Redcar, the team they beat in a classic Yorkshire Shield final. Both sides have now been promoted to the Yorkshire Cup and will meet in the first round.