SOUTHEND Saxons’ director of rugby Josh Ward feels his side are facing the biggest game of the club’s recent history at Shelford tomorrow.

Fourth placed Southend make the trip to the London One North leaders in a fine run of form.

And Ward is keen to secure a shock success in what he believes is an incredibly important encounter.

“We’ve said Saturday is the biggest game in the club’s most recent history and the biggest probably in my time here,” said Ward who has been at Warners Bridge since 2017.

“We’ve won seven of the last eight and we’re starting to click.

“Touch wood we’ve had a good run of health and injuries aren’t causing havoc like they did before Christmas.

“We’re starting to reap the rewards of having the group together now.

“We’re playing some good rugby and the results are looking after themselves.

“It’s been pleasing and hopefully we can back it up again this week.”

Despite their fine form, Southend will not be expected to win at Shelford on Saturday.

The hosts have been beaten just once in 21 games so far this season.

But Ward’s side have already won at Sudbury, when they were top of the table, this season.

And Ward is fine with the pressure being off his side as their set their sights on the current leaders.

“We’re underdogs and nobody expects to win which is absolutely fine by us,” said Ward.

“We’re fully aware within the group that if we perform to our capabilities we’re more than capable of causing an upset which is exciting.

“The game at Sudbury has given the group real belief that on their day they can beat anyone in this league.

“But the week before we saw when we’re off it we can also be disrupted by anyone in the league as well.

“It’s a cliché everyone gets bored of hearing but it’s literally one game at a time.”

But the Saxons now have just five matches left to play this term.

And Ward is keen to finish the campaign on a high.

“We’re now in a position where third place is in our own hands,” said Ward.

“We’ve still got to play Harpenden and Colchester and there’s a lot of fixtures between teams in and around us.

“Mathematically if we do out job and perform as well as we can in every game then we’ll get that reward of third spot but there’s a hell of a lot of rugby to be played.”