Cambridge Rugby Club’s Ben Brownlie ‘proud’ after making 100th appearance for RFU Championship side

Ben Brownlie has spoken of his pride after racking up a 100th appearance in a Cambridge shirt.

The hooker started his senior career with Cambridge before moving on to the RFU Championship with Nottingham.

However, Brownlie returned to Elliga Fields in 2020 and he has gone on to be a mainstay in the team – as well as one of the key players in the title-winning side of 2022/23.

And the recent defeat at Bedford Blues represented a landmark outing for the 30-year-old.

“It’s (100 appearances) not something I’ve thought about over the years but I’ve really enjoyed being at Cambridge,” said Brownlie. “I’m happy to say I’ve stayed healthy and that’s allowed me to play plenty of games.

“I’m proud of the achievement and to have done it for a club where I started my adult rugby journey.

“From my first season when I was younger the club made a big impression on me and it was nice to come back after Nottingham.

“I enjoyed my years at Nottingham and I’ve now had a good few years at Cambridge as well.”

Brownlie returned to the club after discussions with head coach Richie Williams, who recently stepped down after six and a half years in the role.

And Brownlie has nothing but positive words for the Welshman.

He added: “Richie has been massive for the club and massive for me as a player as well.

“His style of management and the culture that he created, he’s made it an enjoyable few years at the club.

“When I came back I was 26 or 27 and I was keen to do well, but I also wanted to enjoy my rugby and the way Richie worked, he was a huge part of all of that.”

With Williams having departed, Cambridge are now under the interim charge of Anthony Allen while the club assesses its next steps.

The upheaval will undoubtedly have an impact, but Brownlie is confident that the overall transition will be ‘smooth’ heading into crucial back-to-back home encounters against London Scottish (18 January) and Caldy (25 January) – two sides that are in close proximity to second-from-bottom Cambridge in the table.

“Richie leaving is bound to have an impact because he was at the club for such a long time and he’s brought all of the players in,” said Brownlie.

“It would be wrong to say that there will be no impact, but as players our job is to train and play each weekend to the best of our ability.

“Ant is a great coach, there’s other great coaches supporting him so I think the transition will be smooth.

“Our focus has to be on the those two games coming up because we know how big they are.

“January is a really big month because two wins can really change the complexion of where we are in the table.

“We’ll work hard building up to them and then look to produce a performance when it matters.”

London Scottish are two places and four points better off than Cambridge, while Caldy are rooted to the foot of the table with a six-point deficit.