Champions Crawley Jets will not have to wait long for a re-match with the side they pipped to the Rugby League Conference title.

Steve O'Reilly's side tackle Rotherham Giants in a what could be a cracker at Willougby Fields on May 19.

It will be the third match of a season for which player/coach O'Reilly is putting together his strongest squad to date.

Jets' opener looks pretty tough too as North London Skolars visit next Saturday. The Sussex side go to West London Sharks a week later.

Haywards Heath quartet Dave Atkin, Nick Dinsdale, Dave Wattam and Alex Meredith will be away for at least the first fortnight.

But Jets have recruited new talent from Guildford and East Grinstead while South African Riann Kruger and Canadian Paul Mysak will bring a further international feel.

Forwards Alex Maguire and Paul Thompson head a contingent from Guildfordians, winger Alex Ingham is in from Gs while hooker Neil Winron should prove a decent addition after moving south from Lancashire.

O'Reilly said: "We will have a stronger squad this year than we have ever had before but the first game will be a struggle with players not available.

"We cannot afford to be slow starters. There are six regions across the country and Crawley is a small place compared to some of the other towns."

Jets qualified from their group in second place last term but that may not be good enough this year with six group winners and just the two best runners-up going through.

A pre-season warm-up game against South London Storm saw Richard Billings and Mark Henderson bag try hat-tricks. Neil Mannifield celebrated his first ever try.

Jets' second team, run by Glen Tireman and James Morton, also get underway next week. They will compete in the London Amateur League, on a merit table basis.

The club are looking to field a women's team while Guy Young will take the under-15s and under-13s.