PLYMOUTH Albion’s director of rugby Graham Dawe is hoping his team will not lose their momentum following a weekend off.
Albion have claimed two bonus-point wins in their last two matches, but, like the majority of the country, were left without a game on Saturday due to the Rugby World Cup final.
Dawe allowed his players a few days off and he is banking on them returning with renewed enthusiasm ahead of their trip to Henley Hawks this coming weekend.
“The RFU allowed us the weekend off, so like most clubs, we took it,” said Dawe.
“We gave the players Friday, Saturday and Sunday off.
“But it’s always concerning for the coaching set-up having three days away from the club.
“We are trying to build a head of steam up and the last thing we want to do is turn off the gas.
“But you have to try and strike a balance. Enthusiasm has to be top of the game as well.
“And to have a hungry rugby team you have to have enthusiasm.”
“Now we are just focusing on trying to beat Henley.”
The weekend off has given players longer to recover from knocks and injuries.
Albion have been boosted by the return from injury of David Fisher, Robin Wedlake, Elliot Bale and Andy Chesters, while Jarrad Hayler and Seti Raumakita have returned from Royal Navy duty.
“We have got some players coming back,” said Dawe. “But we can only play 15 players so we are exactly where we were last week.”
Dawe, though, does have more players battling to get into Albion’s starting 15.
“We’ve just got to make decisions and hope we make the right decisions before the event,” said the Albion boss. “Everyone has the answers after but not too many have them before.”
Dawe is expecting players to try and impress him in training this week.
“It has been competitive all year,” he said. “But, hopefully, after three days off the players have the appetite to train and put down some markers.”