COLCHESTER-based Eastern Rhinos Rugby League club begin their preparations for an exciting new season tomorrow night.

Their senior team and under-18s begin training ahead of the new campaign with a registration and open meeting at Colchester Rugby Club, Mill Road (7pm start).

The Rhinos' senior team will play in the toughest London and South East Premier Division to date.

A restructuring of amateur rugby league in the south of England has placed a number of the weaker Premier Division sides into the Championship Division.

But it has increased the competitiveness of the London Premier Division, with the inclusion of two top teams from the Midland Premier division, Coventry Dragons and Hemel Hempstead A.

Fixtures are yet to be finalised but will run from April 28 to early August and will include a number of rest weeks for Development team games.

In preparation for the new season, the Eastern Rhinos have accepted an invitation to play in the Rotterdam International nines tournament on April 14.

The Primary and youth age groups have already started their preparations for the 2018 season and have a number of exciting fixtures lined up against the top team from London.

They also have a team travelling to Skegness between May 11-14 to take part in the Leeds Rhinos Challenge, where they will play young players from the top teams nationally.

The Eastern Rhinos have also started training sessions for ladies on Wednesday evenings.

Training sessions open to ladies of all ages and experience who would like to try the sport.

The Eastern Rhinos welcome new players of all age groups and ability.

Those who would like to try Rugby League, whether looking to play competitively or just to develop their rugby core skills, are invited to come along to a training session and join in.

Training sessions: Open ages group (seniors) and under-18s: Wednesdays 7pm to 8.30pm, Colchester Rugby Club.

Primary and Youth: Mondays 6.45pm to 8.15 pm at Colchester Rugby Club; Tuesdays 6.30 to 8pm at Stowmarket Rugby Club, Saturdays 10am-11.30am at Colchester rugby Club.