REDRUTH director of rugby Richie Kevern expects a ‘different challenge’ when they welcome Barnstaple to the Recreation Ground tomorrow (3pm).

The Reds couldn’t have asked for a better start to their National League Two West campaign, putting sixty-plus points past promoted sides Bournville and Devonport Services to sit top of the table with two wins from two.

While fixtures are only getting to get harder, they have racked up a superb 19 tries, 17 of which have been converted by Joe Cummins, leaving them ready to take on a Barum side who arrive in West Cornwall having won at Exeter University before a 24-12 defeat to much-fancied Taunton Titans last weekend.

On last Saturday, Kevern said: “It was a good result last weekend against Devonport, we came out the blocks fast and were clinical when we got our chances.

“All credit to Devonport, they put us under some pressure in the second half which brought our feet back on the ground, but credit to our lads we ended up finishing the game in a strong position even with the scoreline looking the way it was.”

Barum won a classic at the Recreation Ground last season and finished in a healthy mid-table following promotion, and the North Devon side are particularly strong up front.

Kevern continued: “This weekend is going to be different challenge, Barnstaple also show a different threat and are always a difficult side to play.

“We have worked on areas this week in training on where we know they will look to hurt us, but it’s important we match that threat and show discipline in the areas we need too. As always It’s nice to be at home again though and play in front of our crowd.”

However, the Reds have some selection issues.

Key centre Sam James went off injured last weekend and is missing which allows winger Rhys Bowery to come in as Noah Clifford takes the 12 shirt.

Cornish Pirates full-back Finn Love is on the bench for their Champ Rugby opener which allows a recall for Luke Johnson, while key prop Tyler Gendall replaces Cam Leigh around tighthead-prop.

On the bench, Cornish Pirates back-rower Josh King has joined the Reds on a short-term loan deal, while hooker Jarrod Hambly and back Matt Blewett also makes the 20-man matchday squad.

REDRUTH: Luke Johnson; Rhys Bowery, Jack Simmons (capt), Noah Clifford, Jack Counter; Joe Cummins, Sam Bray; Rohan Ewels, Tom Cowan-Dickie, Tyler Gendall; Luke Hattam, Todd Prisk; Mawgan Osborne, Will Symons, Finn Wolstencroft. Replacements: Max Surry, Jarrod Hambly, Rob Baragwanath, Josh King, Matt Blewett.