Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds has a clear plan before tomorrow’s final National One game (3pm) when Sedgley Park visit Old Bath Road.
After a topsy-turvy campaign Rams currently sit seventh in the table.
And victory may well be needed against a Tigers side relegated last week if the Berkshire men are to maintain their record of never finishing in the bottom half at Level Three.
Despite a first home loss to Rosslyn Park coming after the 80-7 hammering at Rotherham Titans, Seb believes his players are ready to end in style.
He said: “It’s very exciting to get out there.
“We’ve had massive ups and downs, but the guys have always bounced back and shown a fantastic attitude.
“They’ve shown great consistency in training all season, even if the performances haven’t always been there.
“Nothing has changed this week and hopefully we can finish the season on a high.”
Tigers hope to halt losing run
The injury-hit visitors arrive on the back of an eight-match losing streak which saw their demotion confirmed, but Seb revealed it merely shows the strength of the league.
He explained: “Sedgley are a quality side who have been great to watch the past few years.
“When we played them at the beginning of the season they looked very strong, went onto beat Sale, and looked like a force.
“They lost their fly-half (Charlie Wardle) 20 minutes into the season against us and he’s a very good player – it takes its toll because they’d have planned to go through him.
“But this is what National One can do to you.
“The attritional nature of the season can wear you down, and they’ve probably been affected by it.
“Yet when you watch them you don’t see it, because they’ve got youngsters who’ve come in and played with fight and some great rugby.
“They try and keep the ball alive, play at a fast pace and are entertaining.
“We’re under no illusions what’s coming, and we respect them for that.”
‘Best season yet’ for 50-cap Lomas
Rams make three changes to the starting line-up with Max Marshall starting for the first time at hooker.
Ryan Lomas wins his 50th cap at tight-head and Mike Cooke comes back in at fly-half – Andrew Lamb moving to 15 and Zach Clow to wing.
Commenting on his half-centurion the DoR said: “Ryan’s been brilliant and it’s his best season so far.
“We’ve asked questions of guys this year and he’s one who has stepped up.”
Tomorrow also marks the latest of the title-winning 2018-19 National Two South side’s retirements, Connor Stapley calling it a day after a phenomenal contribution to the club.
Debuting as a teenager in 2011, the second row spent some time at Henley Hawks in between two spells at Old Bath Road, but has scored 20 tries in 144 appearances.
And Seb was glowing in his praise.
He reminisced: “At the start of the season there were two players left in the team I played in – James Baker and a very young Connor with massive bouffant hair!
“I remember him making a line break at Barnstaple and I thought ‘he’s almost as good as if not better than his brother’.
“They’re two very different players, but Connor’s taken on a leadership role the past couple of years, calling the line-outs tremendously.
“One of the biggest compliments I can pay him is he’s one of the best chop tacklers ever to play for Rams.
“Danny (Batty) absolutely loves him and he sets an example of how we try to set-up our defence.
“He’s been fantastic.”
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