Fylde Chairman of Rugby Mark Nelson said: “We are delighted to have pre-season matches against two Lancashire sides who have been challenging over the past few years to gain promotion into the National Leagues, and will no doubt be right up there again this season. Rossendale Rugby Club and Blackburn RUFC are very well run and well supported clubs with strong junior sections and are both very well placed to join the National League Rugby 2(N).
“It would be great to have a couple more clubs from our side of the Pennines and hopefully this could be the year for one of them to achieve that goal. Both teams have real quality in their ranks and will be a tough challenge for us in both fixtures .
“An additional attraction for people coming to watch is that they are local Lancashire derbies with all the teams playing attractive brands of rugby. I’m sure both games will be excellent viewing and an exciting prelude to the season.”
NB: Entry to both games is free.