Round 18 brings Cambridge to the Richmond Athletic Ground on Friday 20th February, under the lights, with a 7:45pm kick-off setting the stage for an important Friday Night Lights clash in the Champ.

Richmond sit 12th in the table, with Cambridge just behind in 14th, making this an important fixture as the season moves into its latter stages. When the sides met earlier in the campaign at Ellgia Fields, Richmond delivered a composed and clinical performance to secure a 54–5 victory away from home.

Cambridge are still searching for their first win of the season, but their underlying numbers point to clear strengths. They lead the Champ with five 50:22 kicks and top the league for post-contact metres per carry, combining territorial intent with physical ball carrying. Over the season they have recorded a league-best 368 dominant carry contacts, and in the latest round led the competition with 22 possessions in the opposition half, showing their ability to apply sustained pressure.

Richmond, meanwhile, bring strong collective metrics into the contest. In the most recent round, the side topped the league with 243 attacking ruck entries and 275 total ruck entries, reflecting work rate and continuity through the phases. An average of 31.6 metres per kick last time out, along with 10 scrum wins, both ranked first in the round and reinforced a solid territorial and set-piece platform.

Friday night’s game is likely to be shaped by control of territory, accuracy at the breakdown and efficiency in converting pressure into points. For Richmond, the focus will be on using home advantage and delivering another disciplined performance.

The evening begins with Walking Rugby at 6pm on Pitch 7, building into a full night of rugby at the RAG.

First XV (1-15)
1. Theo Bevacqua - Sponsored by Andy/Linda Quigley
2. Will Goffey - Sponsored by Chris Mills
3. Luke Spring - Sponsored by Steve Hardwick
4. Jake Monson (VC) - Sponsored by Ollie Quigley
5. George Nugent - Sponsored by Robert Vallings
6. Ethan Benson - Sponsored by Aaron Adams
7. Jared Cardew - Sponsored by Stewart and Liz Barlow
8. Sam Pim - Sponsored by Molloy/Barnes/Morgan/McGee
9. Luc Jones - Sponsored by Tony Dorman
10. Alex Burrage - Sponsored by Ian Hart
11. Greg Kitson - Sponsored by Mult Box Media Ltd
12. Jason Baggott - Sponsored by Tony Doorman
13. Paddy Case - Sponsored by Geoff Hotten
14. Chidera Obonna - Sponsored by John Heaton
15. Callum Grieve - Sponsored by Graham Talling

Replacements
16. Harry Hocking - Sponsored by Charlie Hodge
17. Seb Brownhill - Sponsored by Detertech
18. Jimmy Litchfield - Sponsored by Molloy/Barnes/Morgan/McGee
19. Miles Wakeling - Sponsored by Nick Preston
20. Xavier Hastings - Sponsored by Willie Munday
21. Freddie Charles - Sponsored by Steve Sjostrand
22. Lewis Dennett - Sponsored by Mermaid Gin
23. Ronnie Du Randt - Sponsored by James Espey