With a 4,000-strong expected at The Brickfields it promises to be no place for weak men as Rams look to snap a two-match losing streak.
And the Head Coach said: “Plymouth have looked very strong at times and maintained solid form throughout – they’re battling for the title and deserve to be.
“Their link with Exeter Chiefs has developed and both clubs have benefitted.”
He continued: “It’s always great to go to there, it’s one of the best places to play in National One.
They’ve always got a fantastic crowd who get behind their side, and it’s a brilliant atmosphere.
“They’ll be on our back, but we’re looking forward to a big game on multiple levels.
“We’re aware of the occasion (St Luke’s Men’s Day Out charity walk) – we know there’ll be a big crowd and they’re chasing promotion.
“But ultimately, we’re looking at what we put out – and we’ll find out about a few of the lads.
“We’ve gone through this transition year and I want to find out what our young players can do at Plymouth.
“That’s part in their technical execution, but mainly their heart, doggedness, fight and willingness to rise to the challenge.”
‘Baker can co will go down in history’
The bumper crowd is likely to be the biggest Rams have played in front of, an equally apt occasion for James Baker to pass Matt Riley’s record of 457 caps for Sedgley Park.
The inside centre has been the leading one-club man in the semi/professional era since breaking Exeter’s Richard Baxter’s record some three years ago.
But Baker ready for action despite being forced off with a blow to the ribs against Bishop’s Stortford a fortnight ago, he can write another chapter into an epic career.
Seb revealed: “He’s back and fighting fit – nothing came up on the scans and it will be fitting for him to reach the mark in front of this crowd.
“He’s been an absolute colossus of the club, along with Matt and then the other names like (Aurelien) Rougerie at Clermont, Mike Brown at Harlequins, it’s incredible.
“I don’t know whether you’ll see it again. With the physicality of the modern game, the way it’s going with less one-club players, I’ll be shocked if many more go past 400, let alone 458.
“These guys will go down in history.”
With Baker dropping to the bench, his replacement Ryan Lomas is one of five changes which also see Ant Marris start as loose-head.
Debutant blind-side flanker Fergus Dick arrives from Oxford University having helped them to Varsity glory.
And in the backs, Ed Hoadley and Andrew Lamb start at scrum-half and full-back respectively.
‘Ryan becoming modern-day prop’
Seb continued: “Ryan’s had his best season so far, but he’s got to keep pushing forward.
“What happens with props is they can take two to four years to develop, and then when they hit their mid-to-late 20s they truly get into their stride and start to hit the peak of their scrummaging.
“As James shows if you look after yourself you can keep going to late 30s, so in many ways Ryan is still only developing.
“And that’s very exciting, because he’s been fantastic this year.
“He’s been more aggressive, especially at the scrum and around the park, and with his finesse and handling he is becoming a true modern-day prop.
“We’re pleased with the season he’s having.”
Flankers gear up for first outings
Fergus is set for his first start almost two years after he was originally due to join Rams from Loughborough University, with fellow flanker Harry Judd also on the bench.
The latter captained Reading University, Berkshire Under 20s – and was picked by the South West – as well as skippering Rams Development versus British Army in a try-scoring effort.
Commenting on both, the Director of Rugby ended: “Fergus was offered a full scholarship to do a Masters, which he couldn’t turn down.
“But he got on the phone about two months ago, asked if he could finish the season with us and he’s been a man of his word.
“He’s not missed a second of training, he’s a quality all-round player – very intelligent, good around the line-out, hard and a fine ball-handler – so it’s great to have him in.
“Harry’s a leader who never takes a backward step, relentlessly going forward.
“He reminds me at times of Tom Vooght in the way he moves round the park, the way he attacks the contact area, his tackling and physicality.”
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