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Weekend rugby preview: Richmond manager praises his team’s closeness

Back-to-back wins for Steve Hill’s Richmond side mean they go into their match this weekend with a chance to go fourth in the table.

Richmond go to Ealing Trailfinders, who sit second, hoping to cause an upset and make it nine points from nine since the Cornish Pirates defeat on 23 September.

Hill, who has managed Richmond for eight years, said he is pleased with the way his team have improved and is hoping for more of the same this weekend.

“The lads have really stepped up since Cornish Pirates away,” said Hill.

“I’m very pleased with the way things are going. On the AstroTurf Ealing are a very difficult team to beat, but last year we scored four tries and picked up a bonus point so that’s what we’ll look to do on Saturday,” he added.

Richmond have a relatively low budget in the Championship comparison to sides like London Irish.

But Hill insists the restricted budget breeds a togetherness and that is a vital part of why they are now playing some quality rugby.

Hill said: “One of our real strengths is we’ve got a squad that really know each other.

“On Saturday against Coventry 14 of our 22 were in the team three years ago when we got promoted to the Championship. They’ve played together for three or four seasons now and that’s proving to be a real benefit.

“They are best mates. They’re with each other three or four times a week, probably even more than with their girlfriends.”

Elsewhere, Rosslyn Park take on Birmingham Moseley in the National League Division One. The league is exceptionally tight after six rounds of fixtures, with just five points separating Rosslyn in 13th with Chinnor at the top.

It is a real chance for Rosslyn Park then, who take on Birmingham Moseley, a side currently second-from-bottom.

In the National League Two South Barnes take on Tonbridge Juddians as they look to rectify a terrible start that has seen them lose their last five matches.

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