Following the postponement at Cornish Pirates last Saturday, Hartpury will go into this weekend’s clash at Yorkshire Carnegie fresh but without some of the preparation that they might have hoped for, as they take on the Championship’s third-placed team.

Like all the second-tier sides, Yorkshire have seen no league activity since December but, after an inconsistent start to the season, they now have four successive Championship wins under their belts.

Their campaign has been notable for a number of very close results, none more so than the 29-29 draw that was the outcome when they visited the Gillman’s Ground at the end of September.

In that game, Hartpury had wrapped up the four-try bonus by half time, helped by two scores from hooker Luke Stratford. But they were reeled in as Yorkshire changed their game-plan after the break and needed a last-minute Jacob Perry penalty, their only score of the half, to salvage the draw.

“We’re expecting a tough test at Yorkshire, who are placed well in the table and are on a good run,” said Hartpury director of rugby John Barnes.

“They’re a very well-coached team and have plenty of experience at this level and higher. A big, physical pack are complemented by an exciting backline with threat in their back three, where Chris Elder is a player that teams need to look out for in particular.

“We are definitely going there to get something out of the game. We drew with them at home when we had a commanding lead, but the change of their game plan and a few errors on our part allowed them back into it.”

Apart from the long-term casualties such as Harry Randall and Steve Leonard, Hartpury have no serious injury concerns, although forward Joe Dancer remains unavailable following a concussion in the Scarlets fixture.

Loanee Aaron Chapman has returned to his parent club Bristol, after sustaining a nasty knee injury while training with the England U-20 squad. Fellow loan players George Perkins and Sam Bedlow could feature in the squad, which will be named on Friday.

The game at Headingley is on Sunday and kicks off at 3pm.