BOURNEMOUTH debutant Lewis Nicholls says the club’s Seconds’ squad are breathing down the first team’s necks.
Back rower Nicholls made the step up at the weekend to the first team after featuring for 50 minutes off the bench against Cleve in a 33-31 win in Bristol.
Having seen lock Harry Leadbeater make the transition so well this season from the Seconds, Nicholls said there is more talent waiting in the wings.
Nicholls said: “I think there are a lot more hidden gems in the Seconds team - and I think every shirt is up for grabs at the moment and there are a lot of boys out there working hard to get up to the first team.
“The Seconds team rugby is really strong and it is not a million miles away from what the Firsts is.
“We are facing some strong teams at the minute for the Seconds, so it makes the step up all that little bit easier for us boys.
“I hope the first team feels the pressure of the Seconds team, and I hope we are pushing them all the way for their shirts.
“The main difference between playing for the Firsts compared with the Seconds is it is just a bit faster - well not just a bit faster but a lot faster - and a bit more physical but it was good.”
The win in Bristol was The Lions’ ninth on the road this season - and to top it off - second placed Barnstaple lost 27-19 at tenth team Drybrook.
The Chapel Gate side’s 18th win in 19 stretched their advantage at the summit to 15 points, and Nicholls was delighted to make his debut.
He added: “It felt really really good to get out there with the boys and be a part of this season because it has been a strong year for us so far and it is nice to get out on the pitch with them.
“Away wins like these at places like Cleve are really important to us because it is a really hard place to come and win - especially after such a long journey here and to get that out of your legs was good because they are a tough opposition.”