PACK power could well prove to the key to success according to Stourbridge Director of Rugby Neil Mitchell as the club cranks up pressure for their assault on National League Two North this season.

Mitchell already has in the region of 40 players at his disposal for pre-season training which has included some punishing sessions in Mary Stevens Park.

He revealed: " I have two different packs to choose from this season which is something I've never experienced before, two very competitive packs at that. There's nobody here just making up the numbers.

"Strength in depth is something we missed at the club for the past decade - but having that strength in depth is essential.

"Last season, we were down to 20 players for the last couple of games and we got exposed."

"Other clubs in our division have links to bigger clubs, we don't have any links, that is why it's essential we build up our own strength in depth."

Mitchell is under no illusions that National League Two North will remain as tough as ever to crack and claimed: "I can't tell you much about what other clubs are doing, although Otley now have strong links with Leeds Carnegie, Chester have invested heavily and Wharfedale, who have come down, know what it takes to win promotion from this division."

Mitchell has restricted Stour's pre-season programme to just two matches. They take on Birmingham and Solihull on August 20 and then face Welsh Division One side Tondu the following weekend.

He added: " Our preparation has been hugely intense and I don't really want three hard games ahead of the season.

"There's no respite once the season starts in September because we play 15 games on the bounce and I'm mindful of playing too many games before we start.

"We played Moseley last season and picked up too many bumps and bangs as a result and I don't want that to happen again this summer."