JAMIE Douglas is enjoying a successful return to rugby with Rochford Hundred.

The back row - who took almost five years away from the sport to concentrate on his studies - has helped table-topping Rochford win all seven of their matches so far this season.

And Douglas is relishing being back in action alongside a number of familiar faces.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Douglas.

“We’ve got a quality bunch of lads at Rochford and more team unity than most both on and off the pitch, including the coaches and staff at the club.

“For me, that makes the return to playing much more fun and enjoyable as I’m just playing with my mates.”

Douglas has scored five tries already this season and, last time out, helped Rochford secure a club record 127-0 win against Ruislip.

But Hundred will be facing a far tougher test tomorrow as they travel to second-placed Colchester, who are also unbeaten so far this term.

And Douglas is expecting another tough London One North test.

“Colchester aren’t where they are on merit alone,” said Douglas.

“They’re unbeaten, like us, and have also recorded some huge wins and will target this game as a statement of intent for the season.

“It’s a massive day for both clubs with both the first and second teams playing.

“But all we will do and have done this week, like any other week, is focus on us and how we will execute our game plan to play our brand of rugby.”

However, Rochford will certainly be heading into the game in a confident frame of mind.

“So far it’s been a good season and we’re on track to have a successful season,” said Douglas.

“Off the back of recording the club’s biggest win to extend our unbeaten run we’re in a good place.

“But the next four weeks for us is huge.

“We’re playing the rest of the top teams in the league so we need to concentrate on these games now to make sure that winning feeling and success continues.”

But Douglas is relishing the challenges ahead as he continues his comeback which was inspired by those around him.

“I knew the majority of the players and staff at Rochford from when we all went to college and then played together at Southend,” said Douglas.

“Once I finished my university degree, my friends and (director of rugby) Chris Green were quick to speak about coming down for a run around one night and it just went from there.”