New England co-coach Luke Stephen believes the Lions have the ability to play some good rugby at this weekend's NSW Country Women's Sevens Championships.
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The championships are being played at Armidale's Bellevue Oval and will see eight teams vying for the silverware.
The home side have been drawn in Pool A alongside Hunter, Central West and the Presidents VII.
"It's going to be a great opportunity for a lot of the girls to test their abilities at the next level," Stephen said.
He is happy with the squad that will suit up for the Lions, noting that they have been "really committed to the program from the get-go."
Feeding off the back of a successful 2018 competition, over 25 trialed for the squad, which Stephen said was great.
The spread of interest was also encouraging, the final squad featuring players from Barbarians, Armidale, Robb, St Alberts and Tamworth.
Stephen and co-coaches Mitch Pardy and Oliver White have had about a month to prepare the squad. Their main focus in that time has been bringing their skills up to a standard that will be competitive at that next level.
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"In sevens you need to be good at all aspects.
"That's what we've been working on," Stephen said, adding that they are confident that they've developed a style of play that suits the skill level of the side.
They will tackle Hunter in their opening game, which is also the opening game of the championships with play getting underway at 9.55am.
Central North have been drawn in the other pool and kick off their campaign against Western Plains at 11.10am.
- TEAMS
NEW ENGLAND: Courtney Addison, Alanna Dunne, Anna Jackson, Berni Lai (Barbarians), Abby Brooker, Lauren Clarke, Claire Salter Skye van Asch, Ash van den Boogaard (Armidale Blues), Bridget Madigan, Georgia O'Neill (St Alberts), Taniesha Southeron (Robb College), Montana-Rose Ellersley (Tamworth).
CENTRAL NORTH: Lauren Nott (Captain), 2 Lucy Prudden, 3 Daisy Robinson, 4 Simone Lickorish, 5 Bec Smyth, 6 Lenikki Craigie, 7 Chelsea Hancock, 8 Miah O'Sullivan, 9 Nicola Robinson, 10 Sarah Stewart, 11 Sarah Byrne, 12 Maddy Collison
