Dings started the calendar year with a stunning 35-3 home win against Sedgley Park last weekend, bouncing back from a 31-3 pre-Christmas reverse at Plymouth Albion.

Prior to that they beat Bishop’s Stortford 39-31 at Shaftesbury Park, lost 22-15 and 16-7 at Leicester Lions and Blackheath respectively, a 31-15 home success versus Sale arriving in Week Nine.

Dings had gone down 51-32 in a thriller at Esher seven days before, a 46-20 home win against Darlington Mowden Park preceding that to end the first block on fixtures.

In a tough four weeks before in reverse order, Crusaders lost at Rosslyn Park (61-24), drew with Richmond (31-13), went down on the road to Rotherham Titans (45-19) and were edged out 44-36 by Rams on home turf.

A brilliant 20-11 success at Sedgley Park had come in Week Three, following a 46-29 home success against Plymouth Albion and 40-20 setback on the opening day at Birmingham Moseley.

Players to Watch:

Tomas Gwilliam – On-loan Bristol Bears hooker missed the opening-day defeat at Birmingham Moseley, but has since been an ever-present and leads the Crusaders’ try-scoring charts with eight in 14 appearances.

Was part of the side which secured promotion last season, having spent the two previous campaigns gaining experience at Old Redcliffians and Clifton respectively.

Sam Worsley – Fly-half made a sensational seasonal debut with 15 points – made up of a perfect five conversions from five along with a late try – as Dings downed Sedgley Park last weekend.

The 21-year-old had previously started for Bristol in back-to-back Premiership games against Sale and Saracens before starting a second stint at Shaftesbury Park, his 69 points in seven showings at the back end of last season steering Crusaders to National Two West glory.

Also has Championship experience with Hartpury and is a former England Under 20s international.

Sol Taufa – Dangerous wing joined Dings from Avonmouth Old Boys in the summer of 2022 and has incredibly not missed a game since, racking up a hugely impressive 35 tries in 67 consecutive appearances for Crusaders.