The two sides have served up a feat of fascinating affairs since the Berkshire boys first scored two late penalty tries to stun their opponents back in 2019, and the Director of Rugby predicts another quality tussle.
He said: “I think it’s going to be a great game. They’re playing a positive, entertaining brand – they look to move the ball quickly, have good players and have scored some wonderful tries.
“We’re trying to do the same. We want to play fast as well ,and we can’t wait for it.
“There’s always a good edge to the game from when we first got to Level Three, and they perhaps didn’t know who we were.
“We surprised them and that probably helped spark a bit of a rivalry, and over the years it’s grown.”
‘We’ve got to try and set the pace’
Rosslyn secured their first win against Reynolds’ men this time last year, a blistering opening firing them 19-0 up inside a quarter-of-an-hour before they eventually triumphed 27-26.
And the head coach is keen to avoid a similar fate, continuing: “They’ve started games fast this year and one of the fairest criticisms against us is we probably aren’t.
“It’s easier said than done, but we’ve got to try and set the pace and make sure they don’t get on top of us.”
Electric back three ace Luke Mehson is the league’s leading try-scorer among three-quarters with 13, while a familiar face in fly-half Steffan James – who spent two seasons at Old Bath Road before leading Cambridge to title glory – has been pulling the strings in recent weeks.
Seb added: “Luke’s a brilliant player, very fast, and with superb footballing skills. It will be a challenge to keep him quiet, but we’ll do our best.
“With Steff it was tricky when he was with us because we also had Alex Seers who was a terrific player, but he’s a great performer and is playing extremely well at the moment.”
Coach heaps praise on half-centurion Ben
Rams make two changes to their starting line-up with debutant Bath loanee Henry Bartlett on the wing and Ollie Hodgson at scrum-half, while Ben Atkins is on the bench as he eyes up a 50th cap.
And the DoR commended the latter when saying: “He’s brought a lot of personality.
“When London Irish went Ben was looking for a home to play – sometimes the professional environment isn’t the easiest if you’re in-and-out of the team – and I’m pleased he’s found it.
“It’s important for us to provide an environment where people can flourish.
“Ben does so much around the club, he’s fantastic with the youngsters he coaches, and they absolutely love him.
“On the field he’s a fantastic footballer, a great ball carrier, a tough jackler and tackler and hopefully he has a great game.
“Henry’s a fantastic young player, highly-regarded at Bath, and it’s great to get him in.
“He’s also a very nice guy which is equally important. When we first went to see Bath a couple of years ago Andy Robinson said ‘we know they’re all good players, but they also need to be good people’ – and you can see how they’ve thrived.
“All the lads they’ve sent down have been first-class individuals and Henry seems no different.”
With plenty of Rams supporters set to head to the capital for one of the marquee fixtures of the campaign, Seb ended: “The backing we get is always fantastic and we’re so grateful.
“This game always attracts a good crowd as fans can go up on the train, enjoy a few beers and away days in London are always popular.
“We look forward to seeing the Ramily there.”
