A number of players from that victorious squad have now departed, with 19 securing professional contracts and several others now plying their trade in National 1.

A large number of that victorious squad remain though and, with a talented new group of players coming through the ranks, EURFC are well pleased to continue to challenge at the top of the table.

"We were pleased with what the boys did, but last season is now in the history books," explained Director of Rugby Keith Fleming.

"Our goals are very much that we have to go forward and be major contenders again. We're very competitive people and we don't play this to come second. With got a target on our backs now because of last season, so we'll just go for it."

EURFC made a habit of pulling the proverbial rabbit out of the hat last season, with last gasp victories over Westcountry rivals Bath and against Durham in the final.

Fleming admits that the never-say-die attitude that exists within his squad isn't something that can be coached but explained that the hard work in training was the thing that enabled his side to stay in matches to the death.

"We don't believe in luck, but we tell the boys that the harder you work, the luckier you get. The heart comes from them but we're very much one club."

EURFC are unbeaten at fortress Topsham in BUCS Super Rugby for two seasons, with their last defeat coming against Leeds Beckett back in 2019. The target this season, will be to maintain that unbeaten run, with Fleming explaining how important the rest of the club is to keeping up that unbeaten run.

"Being at home is a great creature comfort. We've got a great supporters club as well. If other sides aren't playing, you can guarantee that all those boys will be on the touchline watching. The boys like playing in front of their friends and families. But the longer it goes on, the harder the boys will work to maintain it."

A season opener against Hartpury is a huge test to begin the Championship defence. The next two weeks will see the side make trips to last season's semi-finalists Loughborough and Cardiff Met. EURFC lost both of those fixtures last season, so a victory in either game will provide a huge boost heading into the thick of the action.

Round 4 will see the side return to Topsham for a clash with Leeds Beckett, before a huge Sandy Park fixture against Cardiff the following week.

Last season's games at Sandy Park proved to be huge successes for the club, with this year's games set to be just as big.

A clash with last season's league winners Durham awaits at the end of November, with EURFC hosting the same opponents, before facing a trip to Westcountry rivals Bath, to send the season.

Fleming knows that his side have a target on their backs this season. They've never finished outside of the top two in BUCS Super Rugby and know that every side will want to claim them as a scalp this season.

"We always consider ourselves to be a moving target. Everybody wants to beat us, so we just have to get on with it."