After a disappointing defeat up in Yorkshire last weekend, Richmond return to the RAG hoping to add to their opening round victory against London Scottish, and make it two wins out of two on home soil.

In part one of the first double header of the season – the women play after the men at 5pm – Richmond welcome Doncaster Knights on Saturday afternoon.

Having done the double over Doncaster last season, Richmond know that their visitors will arrive with a point to prove – and after seeing off Hartpury with a big second half performance, their tails will be up.

Director of Rugby Steve Hill has opted for minimal changes, making just two changes to his starting team for the match. It’s a big one up front, with the club’s most-capped player of the modern era making his first start of the season. Chris Davies, fresh from his honeymoon and a successful run for the second team last weekend, comes back into the second row, where he and Will Warden reunite their long-standing partnership in the engine room.

At scrum half, meanwhile, a knock to Luc Jones gives livewire Jamie Gibbs the chance to don the number nine for the first time this season, with his pace likely to keep the Knights defence on their toes.

The rest of the side has the chance to put right the errors of last weekend, with Jesse Liston again leading from the back row alongside Jake Parker and Ed Milne.

On the bench, meanwhile, club stalwarts Jason Phipps and Jeremy Cunnew both return to the squad, while Richmond's increasing focus on attacking rugby means back subs Lewis Dennett and Jordan Simpson-Hefft will both be hoping to make an impact on what is shaping up to be a sunny day in South West London.

“I want us to be able to convert points when we’ve got an opportunity, be it a kick at goal or a lineout option and drive over, or even just being out and out attacking and scoring tries,” captain Liston said ahead of the game. “That’s where we want to be, scoring points, but Doncaster are going to be coming in hot knowing we did the double on them last year, so I think it’ll be a good game, and a physical game.”

RICHMOND TEAM

15 Rob Kirby
14 Jono Woodward
13 Cam Hudson
12 Ronnie McLean
11 Sam Edgerley
10 Rory Damant
9 Jamie Gibbs

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke
2 Ross Grimstone
3 Craig Trenier
4 Will Warden
5 Chris Davies
6 Jake Parker
7 Jesse Liston (c)
8 Ed Milne

16 Jason Phipps
17 Jeremy Cunnew
18 Dave Spelman
19 Charlie Lenygon
20 Harison Edwards
21 Lewis Dennett
22 Jordan Simpson-Hefft