"It's a long season, but if we are to challenge at the top end of the table, we need to put games like that away. It is a cliche, but a week is a long time in rugby and a lot can change....." The sentiments of Matt Salter after Clifton's shock loss to Worthing at Station Road last week, ending a run of league home wins that stretched back to April last season.

"On the day, they played the conditions better than us, they got two scores ahead and in a game like that, in those conditions, it is very hard to claw that back. It's a setback, but the great thing about this league is that we have a chance to put it right straight away."

And that challenge comes in the form of 3rd Place Henley Hawks this weekend. The Hawks sit 6 points head of Clifton in the league and have played some great rugby this year and it is a clash Clifton head into knowing they need to come away with something.

"You look at the games we have lost, there are areas of those games we should have been better. That is part of it, we get better, but we have always said at the end of November, we will have a good idea of where we are." The loss to Worthing is not the ideal prep for the next two weeks, with Clifton travelling to Henley and then hosting 2nd place Tonbridge the following Saturday, but Salter's side are determined to go out and play the sort of rugby that saw them catch the eye earlier in the season.

We know that if we put it together, we are a match for anyone. We are evolving and learning each week and we have some real firepower in our arsenal that can cause Henley problems. We have always had a good hit out against them and we are up for the challenge they will pose on Saturday."

Clifton have been strengthened by the return of Gloucester center Tom Stanton and the return to fitness of Cam McDonald. Two key attacking weapons in Clifton's attack. Harry Bate returns to the squad this week and is also joined by England U19 and Gloucester Flanker, Jack Clement. The former Cheltenham College student has represented Gloucester in the Premiership Shield this season and joins Clifton on season-long Dual Registration.

James Dixon is available, having represented the Army at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night but Jack Williams and Jack Spencer remain doubts ahead of the weekend.