Cambridge Rugby Club begin three-game quest for National League 1 title and place in Championship with trip to Hull

The equation is simple – three bonus-point wins and this group of players will make Cambridge Rugby Club history.

Of course there are a trio of opposition teams – not to mention fellow National League 1 title contenders Rams and Sale FC – that will have something to say about that, but Richie Williams’ side are in control of their own destiny, with a place in the Championship for the first time ever well within reach.

“It’s taken us a while to get to the point where we’re solely reliant on ourselves,” said director of rugby Williams.

“Now we can focus on our own results and own performances rather than needing other teams to drop points.

“I’m massively proud of the position we’ve got to irrespective of what happens in the next three games, but there is a real understanding in the squad of the opportunity we’ve got.

“We’ve got the chance to do something the club has never done before and that’s exciting.”

First up for Cambridge is a trip to already-relegated Hull on Saturday (April 15).

The basement boys are yet to win this term – losing 23 of their 24 fixtures – but Williams is wary of coming up against a group of players that will be determined to go down on a positive note.

“Every game we play between now and the end is going to have its own story,” he added.

“From Hull’s point of view, we really respect what they have done in their first season in National League 1 and I’m sure they’ll be determined to go down with a win to their name.

“Saturday is their last chance to achieve that in front of a home crowd so that will give us a sharp focus.

“We need to get five points no matter who we are playing against so there is no way we can afford to take anyone lightly at this stage.”

In terms of team selection for the run-in, Williams is in the fortuitous position of having nearly everyone available.

And he has noticed an even higher standard than normal among the squad with regards to focus levels.

Williams said: “It’s pretty amazing that we’ve got pretty much a full squad at this stage of the season and that’s a credit to the medical and strength and conditioning staff we’ve got at the club.

“Having everyone available presents a challenge when it comes to selection because everyone wants to play in such important games, but it’s a good problem to have.

“The players know what’s at stake and you can see a real edge in every session we have now. They’re always very professional, but the situation has seen an extra spike in attitude.”