NEW Tiverton coach Simon Morrell thinks his side are ahead of schedule as they prepare to start their bid for Western Counties West success.

The Coronation Field outfit host newly-promoted Exeter Saracens on Saturday with Morrell confident of their chances of success.

The former Launceston and Newton Abbot lock, who will also be playing once he recovers from a shoulder injury, was encouraged by their display in a 16-15 defeat of Crediton in a friendly at the weekend.

"We just beat Crediton but it was our best performance and the scoreline doesn't reflect what we got out of the game," said Morrell.

"We gifted them their tries and blew about six chances to score tries ourselves, so it's very easy to put right what went wrong — they were stupid errors.

"Everything I wanted to get out of it we got and we can look at our defence and discipline this week. If we get that sorted I think we'll be ready and, if anything, I think we're ahead of schedule."

Tiverton's squad hasn't changed much since Glenn Crocker stood down at the end of last season.

However, with Morrell coming in to the club he said there could be a few different players given a chance.

"Naturally, with me coming in with fresh views on selection, a few boys are in contention that may have been overlooked in the past," he said.

"I am looking at how they have performed over pre-season and in the fixtures and not on reputation.

"There could be a few surprises in selection this week, but they are justified as far as I am concerned.

"We have got two guys away at weddings, another on honeymoon and I am still a week away from playing but, apart from that, I think we have a full squad to choose from."

He said: "If we set out what we want to do and achieve it I think we'll win on Saturday."