WESTCLIFF scrum half Harry Branch cannot wait to be back at Southend for Saturday’s eagerly anticipated local derby.

A big crowd is expected to attend the first ever league meeting between the two clubs at Warners Bridge.

And Branch - who joined Westcliff from Southend last season - is already excited for the National Three London & SE clash to get underway.

“The Southend match has been the talk of the year I believe,” said Branch, who skippered Westcliff against Hertford last weekend.

“It’s all anyone has been speaking about so I’m sure the game will be a massive event on everyone’s calender.

“Our whole team, including myself, have been looking forward to the match since the start of pre-season and we can’t wait to get out there now.”

Branch will also be eager to stamp his authority on the game.

And he is relishing playing regular first team rugby, something which did not always happen for him at Southend.

“My time at Southend was great but I wasn’t given enough minutes on the pitch,” said Branch.

“Being loaned out last year to Westcliff and playing full games of rugby was my biggest incentive in moving over there full-time this year and I’m really enjoying it.”

Southend will also be looking to bounce back from an opening day defeat when they welcome Westcliff to Warners Bridge.

Saxons were thrashed 45-0 at Tonbridge Juddians and director of rugby Chris Green is now keen to get back on track.

“We’re just focusing on ourselves and making sure we improve for the game this weekend,” said Green.

“We’ve had a slow start for a variety of reasons and want to put things right.”