Saturday will be another day of ‘firsts’ for Hartpury RFC.

Initially, there’s a new competition in town, as the Red and Blacks join the other 11 Championship clubs in the first ever iteration of the new Championship Cup competition.

Additionally, the weekend brings Hartpury’s first ever competitive appearance against the famous London Irish, one of the better-known names in the game and the original home to a host of current and former international stars, who now find themselves alongside Hartpury after a difficult 2017-18 season in the Premiership.

The two clubs have yet to meet in the opening nine rounds of Championship rugby, so Saturday will be the first encounter between two sides coming from opposite ends of the rugby spectrum, as tradition meets a 21st century institution at the Gillman’s Ground.

The Irish pedigree is obvious, and their 100 per cent start to the new season has been surprising only in the fact that it came to an end at Jersey last weekend.

Prior to that, the Exiles were eight from eight and stretching into the kind of lead that most had expected in advance of the Championship kick-off.

Hartpury, meanwhile, find themselves in a barren run which has produced no win since Week 4, before a spirited effort against Bedford had them tantalisingly close to the pay-off.

Irish will be seeking to bounce back from a narrow defeat at the fast-improving Jersey Reds and will certainly ask questions of the home team, whatever squad they choose to field, according to Hartpury director of rugby John Barnes.

“Irish have a big squad, so I’m sure they will look to rotate,” he said.

“Having lost away at Jersey in their last outing I’m sure they’ll be using the cup competition to regain confidence. It should be an interesting battle.”

There was enough in the narrow, late defeat at Bedford to suggest that Hartpury are still looking to show their best in the current season, according to Barnes.

“It was a much better performance against Bedford that nearly saw us take the win,” he said.

“Our overall kicking game let us down in the bad weather and, ultimately, that is what cost us the five points.

“The forwards, on the day, were superb. We dominated Bedford in the set-piece and huge credit must go to them and the coaches for producing such a good performance.”

That game ended 26-24 to the Blues, but only a late try and a missed penalty, deep into added time, prevented the Red and Blacks emerging with their first ‘maximum’ of the season and their first away win.

“A week off has allowed some rest for players who have been involved a lot and we now turn to the Championship Cup,” said Barnes.

“In terms of selection, we will look to blood a few youngsters against Irish. The university 1st XV, in BUCS Super Rugby, have been performing really well and some of those players need to be judged at a higher level.

“The Championship Cup gives that opportunity.”

No fixture last week means that Hartpury have been given the opportunity for one or two players to rest injuries.

Saturday’s game at the Gillman’s Ground kicks off at 1pm and will be followed by live coverage of England vs All Blacks on the big screen in the Sports Academy.