After a week without rugby due to Tabard conceding their cup game, Division 2NE leaders Norwich return to league action with a trip to Braintree.

The Essex side have not enjoyed the best of starts to their campaign but Norwich will be totally focussed on the job in hand. Braintree is also a notoriously muddy surface and the forecast heavy rain may limit the fast open style of rugby that Norwich have employed to good effect so far.

Norwich are not without disruptions to their recent line-up with Stu Seppings injured and Tom Whiskin and Dougie Greenwood unavailable. Nick Austin makes a return to the fiercely competitive position of centre and will have a point to prove. Veteran George Pope slots in at prop and Matt Selby breaks new ground by moving from prop to hoooker.

Mark Fernie has recovered from injury and partners Gareth Leake in the second row. The rest of the team has a familiar look to it and the bench includes Chris Wall, Lawrence Craig and 18-year-old Ashley Pigott.

'Braintree have run Rochford Hundred and Enfield Ignatians close this year and we are well aware of what can happen if we don't apply full concentration to the job in hand,' said coach Jonny O'Brien. 'We have had some tough games against Braintree in the past and will be expecting the same this weekend.'

n For the fourth consecutive week, Diss coaches Roger Coombs and David Smith are able to select a fully fit and strong 15 for tomorrow's home match with Enfield Ignatians. Following three successive victories, a real confidence has now returned to the club, with both senior and younger team members responding in a positive fashion.

Jamie Burroughs had a superb game against Old Alleynians last weekend and is proving a pivotal component to the development of playing standards. Captain Fraser Hall continues to lead the team superbly from the back row, while wily old characters Tim Groom, Paul Cayley and Matt Richards have added a sense of calm and patience at key moments.

The three quarters are functioning well as unit and will yet again pose a real threat with the expected supply of clean possession supplied from a dominant pack.

Club captain Giles West continues to score on a weekly basis and combined with Tom Holt, Gus McGrath and Josh Ludkin will relish further opportunities to impress at Mackenders. As an added bonus, John Laurie has returned from New Zealand and will be amongst the replacements.

Diss are playing a style of rugby being enjoyed by not only their supporters but by the players themselves and will be anxious to maintain the momentum tomorrow against a side just one point behind them in the table.