It's been a busy summer at Macclesfield Rugby Club, who have no fewer than 17 new faces coming in to the first team set-up for the season ahead.

This includes young full-back Greg Mellor, who joins the Blues from Buxton this season.

He has played there since he was 17 and has also represented Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire Under-20 representative side and seniors as well as being selected for Derbyshire’s first XV.

Mellor played for the club in his junior years and is relishing the opportunity to take the step up from Buxton and return to his former stomping ground to mature as a player.

“They are a big club with a good set-up, I played for their colts for two years and really enjoyed it,” he explained.

“I want to improve past my rawness and play in the highest team that my ability allows.”

That desire to play at the highest level possible is ingrained in every athlete, but the full-back concedes that it hasn’t all been plain sailing since the switch.

“It’s obviously a big step up and settling into the first few sessions was tough but since then I’m enjoying it more and more,” he continued.

“The coaches and backs help a lot, it’s just about training harder now and taking on all the information I can – hopefully it will pay off.”

Joining Mellor at Priory Park is centre Mike Barlow, who joins up with the squad following a stint at Stockport RUFC.

He has also represented his county, Cheshire, all the way from Under-18s through to the senior side.

The 20-year-old is hoping that he can add something extra to the Macc attack and suggests he can form a strong partnership with stalwart centre Matt O’Regan (pictured right).

“I think I can bring something different to the midfield as I’m a bit of a different style to what we have already got, so hopefully that can help us with a more connected back line,” he said.

In contrast to his fellow newcomer, Mellor has found the switch quite easy since he knows many of the players from his time playing in county colours.

“Settling in was really easy, I knew quite a few of the lads from Cheshire so was a pretty smooth transition,” he insisted.

The Blues take on Darlington Mowden Park on Saturday in their first league game of the season.

Kick-off at Priory Park is at 3pm.