FORGET four-letter words — the word “relegation” is taboo for Harwich & Dovercourt RFC skipper Joe Francis.

The Low Road side sit four places off the bottom of the Eastern Counties League division one table on ten points.

But Harwich have a chance to close the gap on the team above them when Woodbridge visit today.

And it could be a crucial fixture as Harwich look to consolidate a safe league position.

“It’s not time to worry just yet but we have now got to start looking at certain league games as must-win fixtures,” said Francis. “And Woodbridge at home would be one of these games.

“We need to put ourselves in a comfortable league position and we will do that through being confident in our brand of rugby.

“We don’t want to be drawn into a relegation battle and I feel that relegation is not a word we should be using at this time in the season.

“It is a bad word and one we need to avoid and a victory this Saturday will help us stay away from these bad words.”

Harwich currently have the same number of points as the Crusaders side directly below them and one more than second-from-bottom Broadlands.

Southwold are propping up the division with six points. Division rivals Mersea Island, sitting in sixth, face a tough challenge when third-placed Newmarket are the visitors to their Mersea Outdoors base.

Colchester will be looking to gain ground in London League division one north. Westcliff look to be the runaway leaders in the table but only five points separate second and sixth place.

Colchester, two points off second spot in fourth place, make the trip to Ruislip who sit five points and three places below them.

They will be looking to build on their 50-5 thrashing of second-from-bottom Old Haberdashers in their last outing.

Colchester’s week off will have helped them to get over any niggling injuries as they aim to close the gap on the leaders.

Braintree will want to halt a six-match London League division two north east losing run when they entertain Holt at Robbs Wood.

With only two wins so far this season, the Black and Ambers will be able to move up the table if they can beat their higher-placed opposition.