Quirindi will have the chance to learn from two of the best in the business on the eve of their Central North season opener.
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Last year the Lions won a coaching session with NSW Country Eagles general manager Andrew Blades and coach Darren Coleman.
The pair will head up on Thursday and conduct a free junior clinic from 4.30pm, which Lions president Dick Brabrook advised is open to any interested players.
They will then put the Lions' senior men's and women's teams through their paces, and again on Friday.
"It will be great, we're looking forward to it," new Lions first grade coach Col McKenzie said, adding that there had been a fair bit of a buzz around the visit at training.
"It's exciting for the boys and good for us from a coaching angle," he said.
Blades was part of Australia's 1999 World Cup winning side and was formerly the Wallabies forwards coach.
"The forwards are really looking forward to his input," McKenzie said.
"We've got the scrum machine greased and ready to go."
He said there is a positive vibe around the club heading into the season, the addition of a women's side adding "another wonderful dynamic" to the club.
McKenzie has been encouraged by what he has seen from the Lions during the pre-season.
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They won the bowl final at the Armidale Knockout and showed some good signs in a three-way trial against Gunnedah and Coolah two weeks ago.
He said they learnt a lot from the hit-outs and remarked that they have "come a fair way".
"Our fitness is good and our ball handling is good," McKenzie said.
"It will take a few games to get into it but generally we're pretty positive."
He is particularly excited by some of the new faces.
"We'll have quite a young backline. I'm looking forward to seeing how they go," he said.
It will be a bit of a baptism of fire with the Lions kicking-off their campaign against defending champions Pirates.
"It is a challenge," McKenzie admitted.
"(But) There's probably no time like the present.
"We've got to play them some time or later."
"It will give us a benchmark of where we stand."
It will be a big day at Ken Chillingworth Oval as the two clubs band together to support Harrison Frear.
The teenager, who suffered severe damage to his spine in a car accident late last year, played his junior rugby with Pirates before linking up with the Lions last season after moving to town for work.
"It's an important day for Harrison - a fundraising day for him," McKenzie said.
"Obviously we want to support him as much as we can."
"He's been through a terrible time."
Both clubs will be wearing specially made socks for the clash and all proceeds from the day will go towards helping Frear with his recovery.
