Canterbury Rugby Club return to National League 2 East action this Saturday at high-flying Dorking - the venue for what coach Matt Corker has described as their lowest point of last season.

Corker’s city players, seventh, will hit the road as they face third-placed Dorking, looking to pick up where they left off after successive wins before a weekend break last week.

After a 50-21 loss in the corresponding fixture last January, Corker will certainly be looking for a much-improved display.

“Dorking away is quite a big one,” he said. “Last year, it was probably one of the lowest points of our season, going there.

“We didn’t give a good account of ourselves and they played some really good rugby.

“But our focus is just massively on showing what we’re about. They beat us at home last season (12-10), as well.

“We know we will need to be at our very best and that’s exactly what we will be focusing on.

“At this stage of the season, we’re very aware of what our best rugby looks like. The focus for us is doing that consistently and producing what we’re doing in training.

“We have put a bit of extra work in this week, just to get up to speed. Going away to Dorking, we’re going to need to put in a really strong defensive performance.”

Dorking will be aiming to do the double over Canterbury once again after they won 36-31 at Merton Lane in October.

Back-rower Jesse de Vries will miss the trip as he remains with the Netherlands - despite not featuring in their squad which lost 20-18 to Spain last weekend - ahead of this Saturday’s game with Georgia.

Corker said: “It’s great for Jesse.

“It’s something he has been really keen to get involved in. He has really worked and had some opportunities to show his progress.

“It’s been great from a personal point of view to see how Jesse has got better and better.

“This opportunity has come at a really good time for him.”