Rosslyn Park RFC are one of the most famously recognised names in the history of the game and have historically been able to boast numerous England Internationals over the years, who have either played their entire career representing the club, or have since progressed to Premiership sides.

From the much loved winger Prince Alexander Sergeevich Obolensky, who scored on his England debut on 4th January 1936, but who was so cruelly lost at the age of 24 years in 1940, in a tragic accident whilst piloting his plane as a trainee pilot officer in the RAF.

To another stalwart of the Rosslyn Park RFC plethora of England Internationals, in No.8/Lock Andrew George Ripley whose honours were gained whilst still representing the club, for whom he played for his entire career. Sadly he was taken from us in June 2010 aged 62 years, succumbing to prostate cancer.

Other include well known names such as Nick Easter, Paul Ackford, Martin Offiah and current England squad member Joe Launchbury, as well as the enigma that is Danny Cipriani, who just seems to get better, but seems to be ‘persona non grata’ in the selection stakes for his country.

Rosslyn Park RFC have not had the best of starts to their National League One 2016/17 season, losing all four games so far:

v Ampthill & District (away) 24 – 15
v Cambridge RFC (home) 19 – 22
v Plymouth Albion RFC (away) 26 – 20
v Old Albanians RFC (away) 18 - 13

It is noticeable that they have three losing bonus points from those games, so they are not far away from getting it right.

Historically, in the National League One games between the two clubs, Rosslyn Park RFC have by far the better record, winning three of them, with the solitary win for DMPRFC at the Arena in January of this year, again in a close contest (17 – 10).

Even further back, the home game against Rosslyn Park RFC is always of particular mention (sorry Rosslyn Park) when DMPRFC beat them 23 – 11 at Yiewsley Drive in front of an extraordinarily large crowd. At that time the clubs were 3 leagues apart and this enabled DMPRFC to progress to the last 16 of the Tetley Bitter Cup, where Harlequins RFC halted any further giant killing.

With players like No.8 Hugo Ellis, former Tynedale lock Richard Boyle and whirlwind flanker Harry Broadbent, it will not be long before they are firing on all cylinders. It would be remiss not to mention former DMPRFC player and full back Henry Robinson, who now plies his trade at Rosslyn Park.

A tough away game is expected by all at DMPRFC and Rosslyn Park RFC will be afforded the appropriate respect accordingly.

DMPRFC made it three wins in a row with the 37 – 12 win at the Arena against visitors Cambridge RFC. Tries from Caolan RYAN, Rory DUFF, Joel GILL, Ben FRANKLAND and Will MURRAY, with points from the boot of RYAN (9 POINTS) and replacement Sam ALLEN (3 points) were enough to overcome a tough Cambridge RFC side, who left it late to reply with two consolation tries, one of which was converted.

As consistency is sought, there is no doubt that this weekend will be toughest challenge to date and nothing less than 110% will do.