Ben Ward was full of praise for the 'energy' Ealing Trailfinders brought to their away victory against Nottingham last weekend, so expectations are high going into their clash with Ampthill on home soil.

The London side are on the hunt for a fifth campaign victory in Round 5 of the Championship, having bagged all five points away to Nottingham while Ampthill clinched their first league win against Caldy at home.

A brace from Tom Collins and tries from Craig Willis, Jordan Holgate, Will Montgomery and David Douglas Bridge gave Trailfinders their third win in four games and Ward insists the plan is not to stop there.

"I thought the energy and physicality we brought against Nottingham was really good and that's what we're about. If we keep doing that, we're going to cause teams problems," he said.

"Ampthill are a team who like to throw the ball about. We know any team can be dangerous, Ampthill beat us last year, so we'll have to be on our metal."

Having romped to a decisive 36-21 victory at The Bay to go top of the Championship overnight last week, hosts Trailfinders will hope to extend their winning streak with a victory this time out.

Their confidence in doing just that is evident with just two changes to the starting line-up.

By contrast, Ampthill head coach Paul Turner has made six changes to his starting XV  – three each in the forwards and backs.

The Trailfinders front row remains unchanged with the formidable trio of Kyle Whyte, Mike Willemse and Adam Nicol lining up again, while David Douglas Bridge partners Danny Cutmore in the second row, also for a second successive week.

Jordy Reid starts in the back row alongside Will Montgomery and captain Rob Farrar, while fly-half Dan Jones joins Craig Hampson who will celebrate 100 caps in the no.9 jersey.

Trailfinders Women have a bye this weekend after picking up their first win of this season’s PWR campaign in a thrilling 64-33 triumph over Loughborough Lightning last week. 

Having bounced back from their 38-29 London derby defeat to Saracens at StoneX Stadium, the women’s side sit fourth heading into this weekend.

They will face Exeter Chiefs when they next take to the pitch on 26 October.