The Exiles kick-off their pre-season preparations against Chinnor RFC next Saturday, ahead of their return to the Championship.
And Burnell who took the helm at London Welsh following the departure of Lyn Jones is counting down the days.
“We’ve done seven weeks of good quality work and we’ve just come back from a week off and you can see that we’re ready to play,” said Burnell.
“Obviously we’ve only been able to put certain aspects of our play into place, but it’s going to be very interesting to see where we’re at against Chinnor.
“There’s a good buzz about the place in respect of competition for places – that’s the big thing for me.”
The Exiles then face the Scarlets at the Kassam Stadium on August 25, before taking on Henley Hawks.
They then get their league campaign underway against Bedford Blues on September 14 at Allianz Park.
The former Cardiff Blues coach hopes to have a clearer picture of the Exiles progress at that point and admits the ultimate aim is to return to the Premiership.
“By the Henley game we shouldn’t be a million miles away from knowing our starting XV against Bedford,” said Burnell.
“Chinnor is the first step on the ladder in respect of getting everyone on the park and looking at different combinations.
“It’s going to be very interesting to see how the set-piece goes because there has been a massive emphasis on that.
“When you’re working with six quality props and three hookers you can imagine what the scrummaging sessions are like against each other, let alone what they’re going to be like against an opposition.
“The good thing about the environment that’s been created here is that there’s a fantastic work ethic and Saturday is the next opportunity for the players to show just much they want that shirt.
“It is a new environment, I am a new coach and there are a lot of new players. Everyone’s a little bit unsure of what position they’re in, and that’s the big thing about this weekend.
“For those new players who’ve come in with Premiership, RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup experience the big drive is to get promoted back into that calibre of league, and for the players who’ve stayed at the club and being very loyal, they’ve tasted the Premiership and they want to taste it again.”
