It’s derby day for Canterbury this weekend and head coach Matt Corker is looking forward to it.

The city club will have their share of derby clashes in National League 2 East after the RFU’s restructure in the summer which has left Canterbury in the same league as Saturday’s opponents Tonbridge Juddians, as well as Sevenoaks and Blackheath.

“I don’t think games between us and Judds need too much of an introduction,” said Corker.

“We played in pre-season last year but we have not played each other in a league game for quite a while.

“I know they will be buzzing for it but I think our lads will be keen to put on a good account of themselves.”

Corker hopes there will be a big crowd at The Marine Travel Ground for their first competitive home fixture of the campaign, with Tonbridge coming into the match after a 37-24 loss to Rochford Hundred.

He said: “I know lunch is fully booked, it’s going to be a really big day at the club.

“It’s great because it’s the sort of game you want to play in.

“What’s good is, with the restructure of the league, we are going to get more games like these. That’s fantastic for our level.”

Canterbury come into the encounter on the back of their 38-22 opening-day comeback success at newly-promoted North Walsham.

Corker reflected: “We knew that our away record last year was not what we wanted it to be, we let a lot of games slip past us on the road.

“We got ourselves into a bad situation on Saturday against a really motivated team, as we expected them to be. It took us a while to get off the bus, if you like, but we were really good once we got going.

“We faded a little bit towards the end but credit to them. They deserved their scores.

“Potentially, this time last season that would have been a really big challenge for us. It shows how much we have grown and that’s something we are really proud of.

“So for us, it was a great start but also a great learning experience.”

A burst of 26 points in the first 20 minutes of the second period swung the game their way after they had trailed at half-time.

Tom Best scored two tries while there was one apiece for new signing Nathan Morris, Charlie Kingsman, Ben Cooper and Guy Hilton.

On hooker Morris, who has top-class experience at Wasps and London Welsh and joined Canterbury from Blackheath, Corker said: “He has been a great addition. I think it’s been nice for the front-row to have an experienced player with them.

“Danny Herriott, our tighthead, has been playing really well. They are getting the best out of each other.”