Colchester Rugby Club head coach Anthony O’Riordan insists he will not be putting undue pressure on the club’s players this season.

The newly-promoted side play only their second-ever game on the national stage today when they host London Irish Wild Geese, at Mill Road (kick-off 3pm).

Colchester lost their National League Three curtain-raiser last weekend, after losing 33-23 to Gravesend.

But they produced an impressive performance in that match despite the result and O’Riordan says he wants the club’s players to express themselves.

O’Riordan said: “At this level of rugby, there are so many different variants and we have to focus on our own camp.

“We try not to put too much pressure on the players - we’re confident in our ability and that we have the toolset to meet the demands required of us.

“The issue you have in amateur rugby is that you only have around two hours per week and you don’t want to bombard them with information.

“They know our expectations and our philosophy and it’s a case of putting the players through a more game-based approach.

“The feedback from the players has been very good and we try to explain to them what we’re trying to.

“We don’t want to be dictatorial as coaches - we want them to play and enjoy themselves.”

Colchester are not expected to make many changes - if any - to their starting line-up for the London Irish Wild Geese clash.

But O’Riordan is keen to see the club’s players demonstrate more of the commitment and enthusiasm that helped them clinch their promotion from London One North , last season.

“As a club, we’re very open and honest,” said O’Riordan.

“We’re one of the best in the country and we try and look after our players as best as possible.

“We’ve avoided going down the route of paying players and handing out contracts.

“They are there because they want to be there and it’s their responsibility to be the best that they can be.

“I think they’re very keen to prove a point and justify their selection.

“As a coach, I have to make some tough decisions and I’m always responsible for ruining someone’s weekend.

“But it’s down to the players to prove to me that they should be in the team.”