DAVID Dunn has revealed he is in talks with former Championship players as he bids to add strength in depth to the Lions ranks.

Dunn insists his promotion-winning squad simply needs boosting – rather than overhauling – ahead of the step up to National Two South.

The Lions director of rugby is backing Bournemouth’s National Three South West heroes to make the transition and is confident they already have the firepower to cope in the fourth tier of English rugby.

But Dunn is keen to increase the Chapel Gate numbers – and he is aiming high in his summer recruitment drive.

Dunn told the Daily Echo: “We are certainly talking to a number of players who have got expertise at Championship level and below, but we haven’t finalised anything yet.

“We need a bit more strength in depth – which is what we have said all along – but we are not going to make wholesale changes to our squad.”

Dunn remains adamant Lions will not sacrifice their reputation as an “amateur club” by throwing money at potential signings.

He said: “We have got a few sponsors coming on board and that is encouraging. We are hopeful on that front but we have got to maintain the ethos.

“We have got to make it as comfortable as we can for the players but we are not going to go down the route of recruiting mercenaries. It has got to be right for the player and right for the club.”

Meanwhile, Lions could offer a clue as to the identity of their potential new recruits at this weekend’s Bournemouth Sevens Festival, with the tournament action starting today before tomorrow’s finale.

Dunn might opt to run the rule over possible signings as his men bid to regain the regional trophy at the showpiece Chapel Gate event, having not won it since their success at the inaugural tournament in 2008.

The Lions chief added: “We might invite some potential signings down to see if they like us and to see if we like them.”