Initially Neil speaks about pre-season and then enlightens us on the social habits of the players.

“Our preparation has been one hundred times better than it was last year and we’ve got a lot more strength in depth within the squad. There’s also a greater number of all-round players and there’s definitely good signs for success this season.

“There are quite a number of new additions to the squad this year and we are gelling very well as a group. About three weeks ago we went to Rother Valley for some knee-boarding and a barbeque and all the players were there with their wives and girlfriends. Then we met up again later in the evening for some beers, it was a great way of socializing and very good in terms of building team spirit.

“But having said that a lot of the new boys coming in, either new the players here or have played against each other.”

With no announcement yet being made of who will skipper the side this season and of which position Neil will play, “Nelly” confirmed, “Nothing has been said as of yet, I’ve not spoken to Andre about it and I don’t know what his thinking is, but I guess we’ll find out in due course. If I was captain of Rotherham again this season it would be an honour, as it was last season when I filled in for Lee (Blackett). But I’ll take each day as it comes and if I am required, then as I say, it would be a great honour.

“Andre’s spoken to me and he’s happy with the way I played last year and I think I will play a mixture of both this year, although at hooker it will be just as cover for Neil and Nigel. But I’m happy to play any position just as long as I’m playing rugby.

“If had had to choose a preference I would have to pick the back row, that’s because I’ve not played at hooker that many times, whereas I’ve played in the back row all of my life. So I would say open side is my biggest preference, but being versatile is a big plus and it looks good on your CV.”

The conversation drifted onto playing at a higher level, both on the club and International stage, “Nelly’s” eyes sparkled when he said, “I’d definitely love to represent my country one day, but I think that is more long term at the moment. At the moment I’m happy to be down here and making my stamp on National One rugby. I’m only 22 but representing Scotland at Murrayfield is definitely one of my long term goals, I’ve always said I wanted to do that, it’s a childhood dream.

“You never know about a move, it just speculation at the moment I suppose. But at the end of the day I’m just 100% concentrating and committed on this season ahead. Our ambition is to get up into the Premiership for next season and I don’t know why I would want to move back up to Scotland, because every good player wants to play in the Premiership and that’s one of my biggest aims as well.

“That’s the goal of Rotherham this season and that’s what all the players and coaches believe, that we can achieve the Premiership this year. All I can say is that I’m very happy down here.”

Onto the nitty gritty “Nelly”, can Rotherham win the Championship this season?

“We definitely can win the Championship this season! Rotherham has always produced very good teams in the past and they’ve proved that by being promoted on three occasions, although being denied promotion on one occasion. And that’s where Rotherham should be, up there in the Premiership and we as players believe that.

“We believe that we have got the squad and because we have got such strength in depth and real quality within that depth, that wining this league is very achievable. That’s all we’re playing for, that is our only aim this season.

“It won’t be easy, no one is saying that and there will be some tough challenges ahead. You don’t need to be a Brainiac to identify who the front line contenders are likely to be. You’ve got Cornish Pirates and Bedford and I think they will be the two main threats to us.

“Leeds has lost a lot of players and although they have brought a number of quality players in, I wouldn’t say it’s as good as the Harlequins squad last season and they have lost just about all their main stars from last year.

“But we proved last year when we put 40 points on Cornish Pirates up here, we are capable of beating the top sides. We just need to make sure our away form is clicking, because I can 100% guarantee our home form will take care of itself.”

If confidence and belief were the only attributes needed to win this difficult league, then Rotherham’s faithful supporters had better start saving up now for those long journeys into Europe next season.

However they are not and much more is needed. But Rotherham are more than aware of what is required and they know to achieve their goal, that confidence and belief will be integral part in getting them to where they want to be.

Should be an interesting season!