COLCHESTER Rugby Club head coach Danny Johnston believes his team have had the perfect preparation to face one of the biggest tests of the early part of their season.

The Mill Road side kick-off their London League division one north home fixtures with an encounter against Westcliff tomorrow with both teams heading into the game on the back of opening day wins.

Westcliff are likely to be a tough nut to crack after dropping down from the national leagues at the end of last year and they showed their early intent with a 74-0 defeat of North Walsham last weekend.

But Colchester were impressing in their 32-23 victory at Romford and Johnston believes it was the type of warm-up that his players can take benefit from.

He said: “It was definitely a great way to prepare for this weekend’s game.

“When you play a team like Romford, who are direct and gutsy, you know your players are going to have to find a real resolve to get the best out of themselves.

“That certainly happened at Romford and we came good in the second half to show our determination and get the win.

“We know it will be massively tough to play Westcliff at this stage of the season, but all teams are still developing and it gives us a chance to test ourselves.

“We have home advantage and I think it is a daunting prospect for any team to come and face us at Mill Road.

“There are no easy games in this league, but our boys are working together and we are happy to take on anyone at any stage of the season.”

Johnston said Calum Irvine is still sidelined by illness, but Jon Vine and Elliott Castle are both now available for the squad.