Cambridge Rugby Club is gearing up to take on fellow part-time teams in the RFU Championship after a challenging start to the 2023/24 season. The club’s director of rugby and head coach, Richie Williams, is optimistic that the upcoming matches will provide an opportunity for the Cambridge players to earn points in the championship.
The team has faced a tough initiation in their debut season in the second tier of English rugby. They have suffered defeats in their first three games against Ampthill, Doncaster Knights, and Ealing Trailfinders, all of which currently hold the top three positions in the division.
However, the next set of fixtures, beginning with a home game against Hartpury University, who are second from the bottom, present an opportunity for Cambridge. These upcoming matches are against other part-time teams, similar to Cambridge, and Williams is hopeful that they can perform well.
Williams expressed, “We had last weekend off, which allowed for some self-reflection. It’s been tough, but we’ve played against the top three teams in the division, which speaks for itself. The next three games against Hartpury, Bedford, and Nottingham will give us a better indication of where we stand.
“These matches will still be challenging, but we believe we can secure points, whether they are maximum points or bonus points. We feel that these teams will be more evenly matched with us, unlike the teams we’ve faced, especially Ealing and Doncaster, who are far ahead in terms of resources and performance.
“We’ve gained valuable insights recently, and the upcoming games provide us with the opportunity to apply those lessons.”
Unfortunately, key players Joe Tarrant and Kwaku Asiedu will be absent due to injuries, with long-term recovery expected. However, apart from these two players, Williams has a fully fit squad to choose from.