LUCTONIANS captain Dan Smith hopes a bit of muscle can help his side finish high up the National League 2 North table this season.

The Mortimer Park side have signed South-African second-row forward Sebastian Freydell who has represented Austria.

The powerhouse Freydell has played in France and Smith says he has been impressed by footage that he has seen.

"We are very lucky to have got him because he's going to add a lot of strength to us," said Smith.

"For the last two seasons, we have lacked an enforcer and a big guy that can bully the opposition.

"There is no doubt that we have got the skill and the work rate, but Seb can add a bit of weight to the team."

A number of old faces have returned to Lucs, including Dale Garner and Will Hodnett, while New Zealander Joseph Forsyth joins to add bulk to the pack.

Luctonians start the new season away to Sandal this Saturday before entertaining Harrogate at Mortimer Park.

Alex Davidson's side only stayed up last season thanks to a dramatic final day win against Leicester Lions that was watched by more than 1,000 fans.

Smith is hopeful that Lucs can finish in the top six, but feels a top-eight position is more realistic.

"Top half is definitely a realistic aim but I would like to finish in the top six if possible," said Smith.

"We want to do better this season and if we get a few wins early on then it puts us in a good situation.

"We went something like ten games without a win around Christmas time last year which put us under a lot of pressure going into the last few games of the season."

West Yorkshire-based Sandal enter the league having earned promotion from National 3 North and Smith believes it will be a tough place to go to.

"They are new to the league and will come into it quite confident," said Smith.

"But it is quite a step up to our league, which we found out when we got promoted.

"So I'm not sure if it will be a good or bad time to play time."

Luctonians go into the game having lost 22-17 to Bromsgrove in their last pre-season game.

Hereford, meanwhile, start their Midlands 1 West campaign with a home game against Silhillians.

The Wyesiders, who missed out on a play-off spot last season, have had an excellent pre-season and beat Whitchurch 30-10 in the preliminary round stage of the North Midlands Cup last Saturday to earn a quarter-final tie against Old Halesonians.

Leon Parsons, Sean Day, Nat Thomas and Matt Milson all scored tries for Hereford, with Milson converting four kicks.