YORK RUFC head coach Lee Denham has assembled a new backroom team as the Yorkshire One champions tackle life in North One East.

The Clifton Park club face a trick opening fixture this afternoon at last term’s runners-up Driffield, who finished just five points behind title-winners Alnwick.

But Denham will be assisted for an exciting 2018/19 campaign by scrummaging coach Steve Johnson, backs coach Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier, strength and conditioning coach Dan Morgan and development coach Carter Croft.

Denham, himself, enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Sale, Leeds Tykes, Worcester Warriors, Otley, Hull, Hull Ionians and York.

He also played for the Army at Twickenham against the Royal Navy and RAF and had spells in rugby league with Bramley and Leeds Rhinos.

Johnson, meanwhile, is a former Garforth Comprehensive player who has enjoyed stints at Wakefield, Goole, Cleckheaton, Castleford and Hull Ionians.

Backs coach Bruzulier played junior rugby in Wales before spells with Cardiff Blues & Dragons at under-16 and under-18 level.

He also represented Wales at age groups and 7s’ level, before joining Saracens on an academy contract in 2011.

Bruzulier went on to represent Old Albanians and then moved on to French club Le Pays d'Aix, also spending time at Toulon, where he was mentored by England legend Jonny Wilkinson.

He subsequently moved to Worcester Warriors in 2014 and helped them win promotion back to the Premiership.

A loan spell at Clermont Auvergne followed prior to a permanent move to another Gallic club Nevers in 2016 and signing for Leeds Carnegie this April.

Morgan grew up in Halifax playing rugby league and later represented Kings Cross in the alternative code, as well as South Yorkshire and Southern England.

He started playing union after joining the RAF following a move to Swindon.

Morgan spent 12 years as a Physical Training Instructor with the RAF and played for their divisional teams.

His last five years saw him become a strength and conditioning coach.

He also completed a Strength and Conditioning Masters and became a UKSCA-accredited strength and conditioning coach.

Croft gained representative honours for London Counties, Kent and Cumberland & Westmoreland.

He also had trials for England and, having started playing his club rugby at Kendal, he captained Guys Hospital and Combined London Hospitals, before turning out for Richmond, Blackheath, London Irish and Fylde.

As a coach, he has worked for Bank of England, Queensland University, Oyonnax (Pro12 and Top 14), Wellington Hurricanes, the Swiss National Team and the USA Eagles.

Pocklington, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from the disappointment of relegation from the North Premier, where they finished bottom last term with just three wins from 26 games.

They entertain Bridlington, who finished mid-table in North One East last term, this afternoon.

Ben Rees has again been named skipper, although a recent operation will mean new vice-captain Archie Fothergill steps into the breach for the opening weeks.

Off the field, Angus Mitchell has stepped aside after five years as president with Paul Rhodes, who captained Pock to the Yorkshire Division One title in 1996 before becoming a referee and junior coach, succeeding him.

Rhodes and his wife have opened their term of office by organising a ladies’ day at this afternoon’s match.

Another change behind the scenes has seen Tony Penn and Sean Bass reunited as joint-coaches and they will link up with a new coaching coordinator Wayne Warren.

Pock’s mini and juniors also start their new campaigns tomorrow.

Any interested youngsters aged between six to 18 are invited to attend training sessions at the club on Sunday mornings.

Also in North East One, Malton & Norton will also host Cleckheaton today, while Selby entertain Hullensians in Yorkshire One and York RI visit Stanley Rodillians in Yorkshire Four.