Wing Eddie Bullock insists that his side know “what [we] need to do,” this afternoon, as they make the trip north to face Leeds Beckett at Headingley Campus.

Last Wednesday saw EURFC finally return home to the familiar surroundings of Topsham, as they saw off Cardiff in a comfortable 37-8 victory.

The challenge this week, is to back that performance up against a physical Leeds Beckett side that suffered their first defeat of the season last week against Hartpury College and will no doubt be out looking to return to winning ways.

Ahead of the match, heavy rain is expected at Headingley, with the conditions potentially playing a huge part in the outcome of the match.
Bullock though, insists that his side are ready for any challenge they may face.

“Rain or shine, whatever the weather, we’ll be prepared. We’ve had a really good week leading up to it and we’re coming off of a great victory so, we’re set and ready to go.”

Bullock returns to the starting XV this week having appeared off the bench at Topsham. After a try scoring debut against Swansea University in Round 1, he insists that every time he steps on the field, the main priority continues to be doing what is best for the team.

“For me, it’s just about doing my job. It’s about being clear and consistent in what I need to do and that’s all that matters. If we do that as a team, then we know we can win”

Reflecting on playing in front of the Topsham crowd for the first time as a BUCS Super Rugby player, Bullock was understandably buzzing.
“It was unreal,” he explained. “It’s why we do it, to be able to play in front of your mates, with your mates watching and chanting it’s just class.”

Ahead of kick-off against Leeds Beckett, EURFC have been forced into a number of changes.

Up front, BUCS Super Rugby captain Olly White has been ruled out, Will Yarnell again deputising as captain. A reshuffle in the pack, sees Matt Cook come into the starting XV in the second-row; Christ Tshiunza, fresh from being named in the Welsh squad for the Autumn Internationals, reverting to blindside flanker. With White ruled out, Toby Smith returns to the starting XV at openside.

Cam Bullard moves from the starting team to the bench, whilst Tom Addison is in line for a first BUCS Super Rugby appearance of the season.
In the backs, a slight knock for Dan John sees Arthur Relton shift to fullback, Bullock coming into the side on the wing alongside Kofi Barton-Byfield, who impressed on debut against Cardiff.

There are also three potential BUCS Super Rugby debuts on the bench, with Niall Armstrong, Harvey Graham and Jack Potter all poised to make an impact if called upon.

Speaking prior to the match, Bullock insisted his team knew the threat that Leeds Beckett will pose to them but insisted that his side had the required tools to secure what would be a statement victory, in what is an incredibly tight league after the opening three rounds.

“Whatever scores they have had recently are irrelevant to us. We know what kind of team they are and what we need to do to beat them. Now, we just need to go and do that.”

Today’s match will kick-off at 2pm, with live match updates on the EURFC Twitter account throughout.