Cinderford host National One big guns Richmond in an eagerly awaited clash on Saturday hoping to complete what would be a mighty impressive double over the league leaders.

The Foresters went to London in mid-October and secured one of the more eye-catching results of the campaign as they came away with a 19-14 win.

It was the London club’s first defeat of the season – they’ve won 16 of their 20 games - and they are currently on a run of seven straight wins as they look to make a speedy return to the Championship.

“Yes, it’s a big game,” said Cinderford director of rugby Paul Morris, “but it’s a big game for anyone in the division playing Richmond, we’re looking forward to it.”

Three of Richmond’s four defeats this season have been at home - their only reverse on the road was at Sale towards the end of November during a run which saw them lose three games on the bounce.

“They’ve been good on their travels, their only defeat was by a single point,” added Morris. “But we’re certainly not without hope against them. We’re one of only four teams to have beaten them, we’re feeling very bullish.

“It’s a one-off, it’s a shot to nothing but we expect to compete. If we get it right, we’ll cause them problems, we’re not daunted by them.”

Cinderford go into the game having won only two of their last seven, a run that has seen them drop to 10th in the 16-strong division.

However, their points tally of 54 from 19 games – 11 wins and eight defeats - is far closer to the teams at the top than at the bottom and a bonus-point win from their game in hand, as it stands, would take them up to seventh.

That game in hand is against struggling Hull Ionians, who Cinderford play twice next month.

“February is a very interesting month for us,” said Morris. “We play the Rams in between the two Hull games and then have a trip to Bishops Stortford.

“February is actually a five-Saturday month which is pretty unique.”

It all starts for Cinderford with Richmond at home, of course, although Cinderford’s home form hasn’t been as impressive this season as it has in the recent past.

They’ve won four and lost four in front of their own fans and Morris admitted: “We’ve got to be more consistent. We’ve not been good enough and there’s no better time than Saturday to reward our home supporters.”

And even though the club are sitting comfortably in mid-table there’s still all to play for over the final three months of the campaign.

“Seven of our final 11 games are at home and our target is to beat 78 points this season,” said Morris. “That’s the most Cinderford have ever got in this division.

“Our intention is to get to 80 and if we reach that it represents a very good season.

“We’re competing against some heavily resourced clubs, but we have a togetherness that helps us to continue to punch above our weight.”

Saturday’s game kicks off at 2pm.