Rosslyn Park’s Harry Rowland is champing at the bit to pull his boots on and make the most of the new National League One season.

The 27-year-old flanker missed much of last term’s dramatic, but ultimately doomed, title tussle with Doncaster Knights after picking up a serious knee injury.

But now, after almost six months on the sidelines, he is back for pre-season training with promotion and a personal goal in mind.

Park travel to Coventry on September 6 for the season’s curtain-raiser, and pre-season is set to begin on August 16 at Cornish Pirates.

He said: “I broke my ankle in pre-season last summer and missed much of the start of the season.

“Then I twisted my knee in training in January and it needed reconstructive surgery, which I’ve had to really give time to heal.

“I can complete about 90 per cent of training at the moment and I am hoping to be back playing around October.

“I’ve been part of the set up here for so long that Shaun [Justice] knows I will only hold my hand up to play when it is ready.”

He added: “It has been a bit frustrating because if you break a bone you know you can be back in action by a certain date.

“But with this kind of injury, there is no set time and you have to play the waiting game.

“From a personal point of view, I am desperate to get to 100 appearances this season. I am in the high 70s, so it is possible.

“From a team point of view, we need to build on last year’s disappointment and I know the lads are excited about going at it again.”