Canterbury RFC head coach Andy Pratt admits the club have entered the most important month of the season as they bid to secure National 2 South survival.

The city club have won just two of their last nine games and sit 13th of 16 teams, just two points outside the relegation zone. However, three of their next four games are at Merton Lane, where all four of their wins this season have come.

Worthing are first up after the festive break on Saturday (3pm) with their fellow top-six side Taunton to follow a week later.

Pratt (pictured) admitted: “We had a short break which did us some good but we trained on Saturday and everyone is busy gearing up to go again.

“It’s nice to start the new year with two home games in a row and of our last 14 games, eight are at home but it’s up to us to take advantage of it.

“We have a tough schedule in January but with three home games, it could be a defining spell in the season.

“Worthing have come down from National 1 and although they took some time to get going, they are going in the right direction now. It’s going to be tough.

“The attitude and commitment was spot on in the last game at Old Elthamians (on December 20), even though it wasn’t the result we would have wanted (they lost 18-8).

“We need to take that and hopefully turn it into some points.”