If Richmond beat National Division One title favourites Ealing Trailfinders today, the chances are number eight Chris Davies will be on the scoresheet.

The marauding backrower, right, has bagged seven tries – including five in one game against Hartpury College – as director of rugby Steve Hill’s men have won their opening five matches of the campaign.

The Athletic Ground outfit sit second in the table and host the league leaders knowing a win would make a major statement as to their own title credentials.

Davies has made many of his 100+ appearances for Richmond in the second row, but a fit and healthy squad has afforded him the luxury of playing at number eight.

And Hill is only too pleased to see his man cash in on his new found freedom.

“I’ve coached Chris for nines years in all, having coached him for four years at Oxford University,” he said.

“He is very much a team player in that he has played most of the last four seasons in the second row, due to injuries elsewhere in the squad.

“But he has been given his chance and he has certainly discovered where the try line is this season.”

Richmond recovered from the threat of relegation last season by winning nine of the last 12 games to finish comfortably in mid-table and Hill believes that is largely why his men have got off to a flier this time around.

“We got some momentum together at the end of last season and we have managed to carry that on,” he added.

“We have only had one new face in the squad at fly half and we’ve worked hard on our conditioning.

“A lot of our players are coming to rugby maturity in their mid-20s in terms of decision making and how they play the game.

“That counts for a lot.”

Ealing, relegated from the Championship last term, will bring 22 full-time professionals to the Athletic Ground tomorrow, but Richmond will be up to the test.

“Everyone wants to challenge themselves against teams thought to be better than them,” said Hill.

“The only pressure in the game is on them, as they are expected to win.

“We want to make sure we finish among the best teams in the table, but there is still a long way to go.”