RICHMOND lock Jake Monson believes the blend of home-grown depth and tight culture can anchor the newly promoted side to mid-table this season.
Monson was player of the match in the Londoners’ 18-13 opening round win over Chinnor and hopes that early success will set the platform for a comfortable campaign away from the threat of relegation having bounced between the Champ and National 1 in recent years.
He told The Rugby Paper: “I was very happy from a team and personal level. We knew the step up we were coming into and that we’d have to rise to it. After a three-month pre-season the boys were raring to go and it showed. It was a 23-man performance, and I was especially pleased with the energy in our defence.
“We 100 per cent plan on staying in the Championship. With the new format that’s tougher than before, but it’s achievable. We’re looking at mid-table if we get things right across the squad. At Richmond we always look beyond the first team and the women have started well, the minis and colts are strong, and the 2s are competitive. We want the whole club thriving.”
Monson believes Richmond’s identity – home-grown, tight-knit and settled – is a real point of difference in a division where some clubs lean on constant dual-registration traffic.
“It’s a big source of pride,” he said. “When I arrived in 2021-22 we were stacked – I started in the fourth team and worked my way up. You’ve got lads like George Nugent who’ve played for every side in the club. That continuity matters. Sure, you can be up against guys with Premiership minutes, but when teams have players dropping in and out it’s not always seamless. We’ve had a core together for a while, we’re all good mates, and that culture shows in the last 20 minutes when games are won or lost.”
Richmond’s return, alongside Worcester, comes amid a refreshed look for the league and a broadcasting boost. The fixture list brings quirks National One rarely did in the form of Friday night games, which Mon-son says he’s enjoys.
“It’s a very exciting time,” Monson said. “We’ve yo-yoed a bit in recent years, but this feels like where we deserve to be. The rebrand is shiny and exciting, Clubber TV are live-streaming every game, and then you’ve got Worcester back with huge crowds – 8,000 or 9,000 at Sixways. That’s definitely one we’ve circled.
“Friday matches are different and it does change your prep. You’ve got to be on top of training, nutrition and recovery with a six-day turnaround. Boys work, so Nottingham away on a Friday means half-days and logistics. But we actually like Fridays – we performed well under lights last year, and the bonus is a full weekend together as a group or a bit of breathing space.”
Monson’s own game is built on versatility and brains as much as brawn.
“I play second row, but I like to think of myself as a six,” he said. “I’m not the biggest, so I pride myself on finding space, linking with the backs and being a decent footballer. I also run the lineout. As you go up the leagues a solid set-piece becomes even more important, and I love getting one over teams there.”
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