As the National League Two season kicks off this Easter Bank Holiday weekend, Keighley Cougars' head coach Barry Eaton is predicting this season's league campaign will be one of the toughest ever.
Eaton said: "It's certainly going to be tougher than it has been. The two teams coming down are considerably stronger than the two teams going up."
Doncaster and Rochdale were relegated to National League Two while Celtic Crusaders and Featherstone earned promotion to National League One.
Eaton expects Doncaster, coached by rugby league legend Ellery Hanley, to challenge for the top spot along with Oldham. He also said Rochdale and Barrow will be right up there in the race for promotion.
Eaton also said: "All 12 league coaches have been quoted as saying they want to achieve a play-off spot. Anybody is capable of beating anybody on their day."
Two other teams who have been weak in recent years, London Skolars and Gateshead Thunder, will also be fighting for a play-off place, much to the chagrin of Eaton who said they have an added advantage that other National League Two teams do not.
He said: "They're deemed as developing (rugby league) areas and they are allowed more quota players than everyone else."
While Cougars are allowed just two quota players, Eaton said both have considerably strengthened with graded Australian players. London have six or seven in their squad while Gateshead have 11.
Eaton said: "It's a little bit unfair in my point of view. It gives them a bit of a head start."
Cougars kick start their season with two night games, the first a Good Friday clash at Hunslet Hawks which kicks off at 7.30pm.
The Hawks have had financial troubles which led to many of the club's players leaving at the end of 2007, and new coach Graeme Hallas had to start more or less with a blank page. However, Eaton said they have put many of their financial difficulties behind them and made some good signings, including Eddie Mack and Phil Hasty.
Although they lost last Sunday in their final Northern Rail Cup game, they pushed National League One side, Dewsbury Rams, all the way in a 18-16 loss.
Cougars' opponent on Bank Holiday Monday will be 2006 National League Two Grand Finalists Swinton Lions. The match at Cougar Park kicks off at 7.30pm.
Eaton himself made a return to the squad last Sunday and could feature in both matches, depending on the fitness of Danny Jones. Jones has had a groin injury but trained on Tuesday and might feature on Friday.
Eaton said: "If Danny is 100 per cent fit, he may come back. If not, I might play myself. I felt I justified my selection on Sunday."
Scrum halves Craig Fawcett and Adam Mitchell have yet to take their opportunities.
Eaton said: "I'm happy with parts of their game but they also fell down in other areas.
"I want my No 7 to take control and dictate the game. I've felt we lacked direction and organisation at crucial times."
Eaton will be without Will Cartledge, who broke his arm on Sunday. The injury is a massive blow, as Eaton said Cartledge had been the team's most consistent player this season.
Wayne Sutcliffe, Greg Nicholson and Dave Norcross will be competing for Cartledge's starting place in the back row.
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