COLCHESTER Rugby Club senior chairman Jon Smith believes the points they have already accumulated this season could prove crucial come the end of the season.

The Mill Road side host Amersham and Chiltern tomorrow, looking to keep the pressure on leaders Rochford Hundred at the top of the London One North table.

Colchester return to action after a blank weekend and Smith says the Blacks will be back and raring to go tomorrow.

Smith said: “With nine games of the season gone - approximately a third of the way through the season - our first XV sit in second position.

“We’re seven points behind the leaders Rochford and three points ahead of the third-placed side North Walsham.

“We would have certainly preferred to be in pole position but from my perspective we have played and won three very tricky away games - Walsham, Eton Manor and Old Habs.

“These points in the bank could be absolutely crucial.

“With no first XV games last weekend, our squad had the opportunity to rest the inevitable niggles and knocks that tend to accumulate over the course of the season.

“At the moment we have a number of regulars including Matt Wadling, Ben Murphy and Rhys Hartley managing injuries, so they will all be rested this weekend.”

Colchester’s starting line-up will feature a number of alterations this weekend, as they go in pursuit of their ninth win of the season.

“This weekend, due to availability issues, there are going to be a number of changes to our starting line-up,” said Smith.

“Firstly, we will have two changes at prop forward with Jerone Awesu and Simon Gray coming into the side in place of James and Alex Mitchell.

“With both Mitchells unavailable, changes had to be made to what has been a successful formula so far this season.

“There is one significant change in the back line with Brett Cutbush reverting to scrum half.

“Brett is such a flexible and talented all-round rugby player, so in recent weeks he has played full-back, fly half and centre but this week he will be back in his favourite position.”

Colchester are also hoping that the likes of Alex Burman and Oly Pickett are close to a return to action.

Colchester Ravens travel to play Westcliff, this weekend.