Dunn insists Bournemouth are ready for life in fourth flight (From Bournemouth Echo)

Dunn insists Bournemouth are ready for life in fourth flight

7:00am Friday 31st August 2012 in Sport By Ian Wadley

LIONS chief David Dunn is convinced Bournemouth can cope with the biggest challenge in the club’s history and insists: “We are ready.”

Director of rugby Dunn was speaking ahead of Bournemouth’s National Two South opener against Canterbury at Chapel Gate tomorrow (2.30pm).

The National Three South West champions will be making their debut in English rugby’s fourth tier when they don their gumshields.

Dunn believes his men will be tested in every department as they make the step up – but he is adamant Lions are prepared for battle.

And the bullish Bournemouth boss has warned Lions’ new rivals that they will be no pushovers after a summer of squad strengthening.

Dunn told the Daily Echo: “We’re very excited about the prospect.

“It is the biggest challenge the club has ever faced but we have also probably assembled the best squad to play in a Bournemouth shirt.

“The additions we have made have strengthened our already talented squad and we feel really ready to take up the challenge that lies ahead of us.

“We have got a lot more travelling to do and have to go to places like Redruth, Canterbury and Southend.

“We are going to be challenged in terms of the physicality of games.

“We are going to be challenged in every department but feel we have prepared thoroughly and are ready to take up that challenge now.”

Dunn is confident Bournemouth will avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap after securing a number of quality summer signings.

Bournemouth-born former professional Ben Stevenson is set to star at fly-half, while Dunn has also drafted in some extra power and presence in the Lions pack.

Dunn added: “We are certainly not going into the league to make up the numbers.

“The two teams that were promoted last season both came from London and went straight back down again.

“It is up to us and Chinnor to make sure that doesn’t happen to us.

“But we feel very confident that we will be able to hold our own at this level. As a target at this stage, we would hope for a top-half finish.”

• Swanage & Wareham are tomorrow set to give league debuts to George Armstrong and Rory Triniman.

The summer signings could feature when Swans kick off their South West One East campaign at home against Marlow (3pm).