DUNFERMLINE Rugby Club have a new management team and a new attitude as they look to bounce back from relegation.

Ex-Stirling County player Gavin Blackburn will work as the new forwards coach alongside head coach Mark Fellows, who will move up from his playing role at stand off to take over from outgoing Davy Wilson.

The club are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in Premier 2 where they finished bottom of the league with only four victories to their name.

However, Blackburn believes that the team underperformed last term and have the quality of squad to challenge for promotion once again.

He said, "The club had a difficult season last year but there are good players here who are capable of playing at Premier 2 level.

"There are a few players I know from years ago, like Scott Swankie, who provide the nucleus of a very good squad, they perhaps just lacked a bit of direction last year.

"We are maybe lacking one or two players so we will try and add to the squad but I think we will be one of the best teams in the league next year.

"When I spoke to a couple of members of the committee it's obvious they love their rugby deeply and are very motivated to be the best they can." Blackburn began his career as an apprentice with Saracens before returning to Scotland to play for Glasgow Hawks and Stirling, before an achilles injury curtailed his career.

"Dunfermline is a great place for me to cut my teeth and get into coaching.

"In a lot of ways the club reminds me of Stirling County, which was a great club.

"It's up to us to pull the squad together and put out a team capable of challenging at the top of the table.

"Everybody at the club is ambitious, Mark, myself, the players and the committee, so everybody is gearing up for a real good go at the Premier 3 this year."