Bournemouth Rugby have enlisted the help of AECC Sports Psychologist Professor Stewart Cotterill for their South West Premier trip to Barnstaple on Saturday.
The second placed North Devon side are just seven points behind the table toppers and have been known to attract up to 1,000 people for home games.
Lions Director Of Rugby Will Croker says his side are trying to learn lessons from their only loss of the campaign so far two weeks ago against Maidenhead.
He said: “We have had some real ding-dong battles with them over the years, and they are a proper passionate rugby town - not just a passionate rugby club.
“They will come out in force to support their boys and we have to be ready for that.
“We have to be ready for them getting on top of our mistakes, if we make any and it is about how we deal with them - and how we are able to block that out.
“We have been working with AECC Sports Psychologist Professor Stewart Cotterill this week to try and pick up the lessons we have learned after our loss against Maidenhead and just to try and make sure the guys are as best prepared for it as possible.”
This weekend marks the turnaround point of the campaign, with the final sprint for the finish line about to begin.
In the first meeting between the sides back in September, Croker’s men triumphed 38-24 at Chapel Gate in the second game of the new campaign and Croker said it is the toughest trip his side will make.
He added: “This week we have got to get over the heavy display we had at home against them and prepare ourselves for the next round of difficult matches which are going to be thrown at us and Barnstaple is probably the toughest away match we will face this season.”

By Will Perringwood

Bournemouth Rugby Reporter