Cambridge Rugby Club looking to kick on in RFU Championship after tough start to 2023/24 campaign

Director of rugby and head coach Richie Williams is hopeful that the next batch of games will allow his Cambridge players to pick up some points in the RFU Championship.

It has been somewhat of baptism of fire for Cambridge during their debut campaign in the second tier of English rugby.

Defeats have been suffered in their opening trio of games to Ampthill, Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders – sides that currently occupy the division’s top three places.

However, the club’s next run of fixtures – starting at home against second-from-bottom Hartpury University on Saturday (November 18) – are all against part-time outfits like themselves.

Williams said: “We had last weekend off and that has allowed for a little bit of self reflection.

“It’s been tough, but we’ve played the top three teams in the division and that in itself paints a picture.

“The next three games against Hartpury, Bedford and Nottingham are going to be a better benchmark of where we are at.

“They will still be tough matches against very good sides, but we feel we can get points against them, whether that’s maximum points or bonus points.

“We feel these teams will be more at our level, whereas the teams we’ve faced – especially Ealing and Doncaster – they’re miles ahead on and off the pitch in terms of resources.

“We’ve learned a lot recently and this next group of games gives us the chance to implement some of those lessons.”

Key players Joe Tarrant (shoulder) and Kwaku Asiedu (pectoral muscle) will both miss the encounter and are likely to be long-term absentees.

Aside from those two, Williams has a fully fit squad to select from.