It’s more than just progress on the line for Woodford head coach Tom Redfern when his team host Harrow in the first round of the London section of the RFU Intermediate Cup.

With the Highams club and their visitors playing in different leagues, the two teams are likely not to know much about the other.

However, Redfern happens to work with his Harrow counterpart Ty Sterry, meaning there is also bragging rights on the line at the Highams this Saturday.

“It will be interesting to see how the game goes this weekend and I’m sure there will be a bit of banter between us about it after,” said Redfern.

“Other than working with their coach, I don’t know much about Harrow, which is refreshing in a way because there’s too much talk about other sides in our league.

“We’re looking forward to facing a team on merit. Harrow haven’t done well so far, so it’s a game we’re targeting to win.

“If we progress in the cup, then it will give us a bit of confidence and momentum when we return to the league, but if we don’t, we’ll take it from there.”

In London Two North East action last weekend, Woodford were beaten 39-21 away to Cantabrigian.

However, the Highams club were hindered on their trip to Cambridgeshire by having to make eight changes to the team who beat Chelmsford the previous weekend.

Many of those players absent for the clash at Cantabs are expected to return this weekend, and Redfern hopes he can name something approaching a consistent team in the coming weeks.

“For us, the cup is an opportunity to build momentum in terms of naming the team and a chance to get the boys running out together,” he added.

“We’ve already used quite a lot of players in the first team from pre-season up to now, but this weekend it should be a similar team to the one that beat Chelmsford.

“Of course, there are a couple of injuries to contend with, but we feel can start to get some consistency in the starting XI; it’s just a shame it’s come a month into the season.”

Victory in the cup this weekend would certainly give Redfern the confidence to name the same side on a regular basis, which would surely help push Woodford up the league table.