WEYMOUTH & Portland are “raring to go” for their season-opening clash at home to East Dorset Dockers this afternoon (3pm), according to head coach Rich Bament.

The Seahorses have had a busy summer, recruiting well as scrum-half Lewis Allan and James Newsam come across from Dorchester, while second row-come-centre Ralph Green also joins.

Facundo Patsouris-Belcuore will miss the whole season through studying commitments, while Billy Hayne will captain the side while Dave Oaksford takes a break from playing.

And following their third-placed finish last season, Bament revealed his squad is itching to get started in the remodelled Counties Two Tribute Dorset & Wilts South.

READ MORE: Weymouth & Portland skipper Dave Oaksford steps down

He told Echosport: “The guys are raring to go. It’s a big re-jig with the leagues so unfortunately we’ve gone down to a nine-team league.

“We’ve only got 16 games instead of the normal 20. It is what it is, they’ve done it for reasons of locality and getting players back into the game.

“It’s going to be a short season but then the cup competition will be at the end, so hopefully we’ll be able to get a good run in.

And Bament expects a stern test from Dockers, tipping them as a team to watch this season.

“It’s nice to start with a tough opener and hopefully we’ll get the victory. I’m always confident,” he said.

“They’re probably one of the stronger teams this year so it will be a good test for us. It will be a good gauge of where we are.”

Weymouth & Portland are missing Rory Legg after a double leg-break and ankle dislocation in pre-season.

Ryan Lewendon has joined Yeovil, while Matt Savage has retired.