Rosslyn Park will look to reproduce their ‘back to basics’ performance this weekend as they welcome Loughborough to The Rock.

Park became the first side in 18 months to win at Sale after an impressive bonus point 23-31 win on Saturday, and Director of Rugby Donnie Masters says it was the first complete performance from the cherry and whites this season.

“It isn’t rocket science,” said Masters.

“If you get off the line, make your tackles, put the defence under pressure you’ll end up suffocating a side and that’s extensively what we did against Sale. We suffocated them.”

The result was all the more surprising as Park had lost their previous three on the road in National League One. Now sitting fourth, Masters believe they have found the blueprint for success away from home.

“After the Blackheath game (Park lost 23-15), we decided to strip things back, we took stock and distilled what we were trying to do, what our game plan is and to focus on the basics.

“We went to Sale with a plan and stuck to it. If we continue to do that for the rest of the season, with a clarity in what we are doing, then I think we have an opportunity to push on in this league.”

Masters pointed to the stability in the set piece for turning the side in to contenders this year.

Jon Mills, player and forwards coach, is credited with turning the front eight in to ‘a weapon’ and his influence was felt as he lead the side at Sale on Saturday.

One player Park will be without for the season will be Jordan Turner-Hall who has undergone an operation on a ruptured achilles. Despite not playing, Turner-Hall’s impact will be felt this Saturday as defensive coach.

“Jordan has a huge role at this club, our defence has been consistently strong this season thanks to him, and it’ll need to be again against Loughborough.

“Despite sitting bottom they put a lot of points on Darlington Mowden Park last week. They always come down and have a good crack at us, and it may sound cliché – but if we believe in what we are doing and stick to what we did against Sale we’ll have a good chance.”