Hartpury go into Saturday’s visit to Coventry with a strong record against the West Midlands club to defend, but also knowing that time is not on their side as they look for the wins needed to pull away from the foot of the Championship table.

This will be the eighth clash between the clubs in recent seasons. Coventry won the first ever encounter, at the Gillman’s Ground back in 2014, but since then Hartpury have recorded six wins in six meetings.

The latest of these was a typically tightly-contested affair, at Hartpury in September, when the Red and Blacks were just about good value for a 23-17 win in wet conditions.

However, Hartpury followers will remember that this was the last win recorded in any competition by the Gloucestershire team, in what has become an increasingly difficult season.

Coventry, on the other hand, have made a very decent fist of their return to this level, sitting comfortably 19 points ahead of Hartpury with five wins from their 13 matches so far.

Their home record is good and Hartpury director of rugby John Barnes knows that past performances will count for nothing on Saturday.

“Coventry is a place we have been to several times in the past few years,” he said. “As always with them, we are expecting a very tough encounter.

“They have performed well this year, especially at home. Rowland Winter has recruited a squad well capable of performing at Championship level and the club have big plans to develop the stadium, pitch and squad in the coming years.

“We beat them in the home fixture with a strong set piece and a good defensive performance. We need to reach that level again to try and get some points out of this game.”

Hartpury’s injury list remains significant and the club will wait as long as possible before naming the final 22 that will travel to the Butts Arena.

However, the club received a boost with the announcement that five promising young Bristol Bears players are being made available, on loan, with immediate effect.

The group includes exciting speedster Mat Protheroe, who is no stranger to the Red and Black having played in two successful AASE campaigns, as well as having appeared for Hartpury throughout their three seasons in National One.

He recently made his Premiership debut for the Bears and is joined in the loan move by another back, Charlie Powell, as well as forwards Ehize Ehizode, Jake Armstrong and Sam Graham.

The most recent outing, two weekends ago at the Cornish Pirates, did end in defeat but was not one that the club had any reason to be ashamed of.

“It was certainly an improved performance in some areas,” said Barnes.

“Through necessity, we fielded a very young and inexperienced side that competed well at times.

“I felt that we were unlucky not to pick up a four-try bonus point, at least. We certainly had some good periods in the game.

“It has been an area of disappointment this season that we haven’t been picking up bonus points when the opportunities have been there.”

Saturday’s Greene King IPA Championship fixture kicks off at 3pm.