Head coach Matt Corker reckons Canterbury Rugby Club’s season-ending trip will be a test of their mettle.

The city club, fourth in National League 2 East, will conclude their campaign at relegated Colchester on Saturday.

Canterbury’s weekend hosts have suffered four consecutive losses and could yet even finish rock bottom of the league.

But Corker said: “In the summer, there’s a long period where you don’t have a game.

“For Colchester, it might be their last game in this league. I’m sure that they will want to make a statement in front of their home crowd.

“Regardless of league positions, these last games are a real test of character. But we need to make sure that we finish on a high. That’s why we’ve had a rest and we’ll get back to it this week.”

When the teams met at Merton Lane in September, the home side claimed an opening-day 53-13 victory.

Canterbury will head into their final fixture after they completed a double over high-fliers Dorking through a 42-35 success at Merton Lane last time out. And Corker thinks the fact they have done the double against Dorking justifies their top-four finish.

The 42-year-old said: “The other teams above us (champions Tonbridge Juddians and Barnes), we haven’t beaten.

“But doing the double over Dorking, for me, that justifies our fourth-placed finish. The fact we have done that against a team that are sitting second shows how far we’ve come.

“In terms of our development as a group, that was key in terms of showing we are making progress. It’s definitely been a season to be proud of.”