Head coach Chris Dengate says Dover Rugby Club’s London 1 South home game with Gosport and Fareham on Saturday is as big as they come.

Sharks are 11th, one point and one place ahead of Gosport, who occupy the last of the three relegation spots and Dengate says victory at Crabble (kick-off 2.30pm) would go a long way towards securing Dover’s survival.

Dengate, who watched the Hampshire side lose 66-0 at Maidstone on Saturday, said: “It’s a huge game. Probably one of the biggest we’ve had for a long time. It’s going to be a real pressure cooker situation and I want the boys to feel the heat. They need to understand that it’s not just another game.”

Dengate believes a fast start is essential to Dover’s hopes of victory and he has been boosted by the return, earlier than anticipated, of injured hooker Jarvis Otto.

He added: “ I will be ramping it up at training this week because the boys need to hit their straps on Saturday.

“Gosport’s heads went down quickly at Maidstone and if we can make a fast start, it could be decisive.”

Brad Plant, George Moore and Jack Ayling are among the absentees for Saturday's clash and Dengate says he fears No.8 Plant might not play again this season.