Shane Manning has no preconceived ideas about his new players after being appointed as Enfield Ignatians' new head coach.

The 41-year-old takes over at the helm of the London Two North-West outfit after Ali Cook stepped down at the end of last season.

The charismatic New Zealander has extensive experience of the British scene follows stints in different guises amongst others with Vagabonds [Isle Of Man], Colchester, Harwich and Dovercourt and Biggleswade.

Primarily a forwards’ coach with nine years’ experience, he will assisted by the versatile Jack Wilson. The former first-team full-back has extensive coaching and refereeing experience.

Manning said: “I like to play a fast, attacking brand of rugby in which all 15 players are involved. It’s obviously going to be a bit different from what the players are used to.

“I’m coming at from a different point of view (of a blank canvas). I don’t know the players (reputations) and they don’t know me so anyone can achieve.

“I’m looking for players to put their hands up in training [Tuesday and Thursday] and am not dissuaded by age, and if you’re young enough you’re good enough as we say down in New Zealand.”

A new fitness regime and training drills await the players and he is clearly too wily a character when it comes to predicting where exactly the club will finish in the league next season, although he is clearly anticipating improvement on last season’s 10th spot.

He made an interesting move by opening the floor to the players by asking them what they want to achieve. “A top six finish,” was one of the most common answers.

However, the Manning ‘way’ is more subtle than that and clearly is very much a journey of self-improvement.

He said: “There’s no point in getting promoted and coming straight back down.

“I believe I can improve players as I see things differently. There has been a cases where players have started out the season in the threes before going on to cement a regular spot at first-team level.”