FORWARDS coach Owen Root told BBC Radio Berkshire’s Weekend Kick-Off show there are an exciting four months ahead despite this afternoon’s trip to Sale being postponed due to the freezing conditions in Manchester.

The former skipper praised the hosts for their communication during the week, with volunteers clearing snow from the pitch on Tuesday before a final call confirming the postponement on Tuesday.

This allowed the squad to train back at Old Bath Road this morning, and asked by host Tim Dellor about how what will now be a four-week break ahead of next Saturday’s home game against Dings Crusaders (3pm), Owen said: “Going into Christmas there were some sore bodies and the players were looking forward to a bit of downtime and recovery, but now we’ve had a few sessions the guys were ready to get back playing, so they are a bit disappointed.

“But we’ll have an extra training session and try and keep the intensity high, with everyone excited to get back to fixtures.

“Credit to Sale as it’s allowed us to manage things rather than going up for an overnight stay and then it being called off.”

Next Saturday’s clash with Crusaders should be another epic, Rams having won a thriller 44-36 at Shaftesbury Park ahead of their first home game of 2025 following back-to-back floodlit showdowns against Richmond and Esher which attracted more than 3,000 fans combined.

Owen continued: “Having been promoted, Dings have gone very well this year, and we had a close match down with them in Bristol earlier in the season, so we’re looking forward to welcoming them to Old Bath Road and getting stuck into training in the week.”

Despite a pre-Christmas three-match losing streak against Rotherham Titans, table-toppers Richmond and Rosslyn Park, Rams’ win against Esher in the last game of the year, coupled by the league leaders going down to their London rivals Park a day later leaves just a one-point gap at the head of the table.

Rotherham, three points behind, and in-form Rosslyn, 11 back but with the chance to close further when they host neighbours Blackheath on the artificial this afternoon, are also well in contention ahead of a fascinating second half of the campaign.

And Owen ended: “There’s a lot of rugby left to be played – we’ve got 12 huge games.

“Richmond are leading the way, they’re a great side and when we played them it was a purists’ delight – we’re trying to hunt them down and everything’s open.

“It’s very exciting and we can only do what we do, so it’s time to get fully focussed.”

To listen to the full interview – in which Owen also discusses his cricketing credentials – click here from 45:45

*Rams are kindly given a slot on the Weekend Kick-off show most weeks from 18:40, so tune in either via radio or online to hear from a player or coach previewing the following day's game!