HEAD coach Dino Radice says Blackburn have no fears as they prepare for their toughest test of the season so far.

The Ramsgreave Drive side play three of the top four in the next three weeks - starting with a trip to third-placed Birkenhead Park on Saturday.

Second-placed Blackburn, who have not lost since the opening day of the season, then go to Stockport in fourth before hosting North One West leaders Carlisle.

Despite the tricky run of fixtures, Radice believes his side are a match for any one of them. And while they are not season-defining games, the head coach says he will know more about his team in a few weeks time.

“We have no reason to fear anyone in this division,” said the coach. “It is a difficult run of games but that is what you play rugby for, to test yourself against the best teams.

“I don’t think it will define our season but it will give us a better picture of who we are up against.”

Blackburn reached second place in the table towards the end of last season, the highest position in the club’s history which prompted talk of a push for a play-off place. But Burn faded badly and finished the season in seventh place.

Radice says it feels different this time around and his side deserve to be in second place - although the season is only six games old.

“We have a very good squad this season backed up by a very good Second team,” he said. “We have recruited well and while we haven’t been brilliant, I feel we deserve to be in second place.

“Last season, towards the end, we were in second place briefly but it was so tight up there and we fell away towards the end.”

Blackburn were not at the best on Saturday but put in a performance good enough to see off Burnage.

Phil Baines scored two tries with back rower Sam Gale and winger Josh Riley both going over. Leon Fifield added a conversion and a penalty.

“I thought we were very good in the first half but not so good in the second half,” added Radice. “But there is a lot of positivity and believe in this squad so we will have to see where it takes us.”