Twickenham RFC’s Tim Aldridge insists there will be no club versus country concern ahead the England Deaf international clash with Scotland on March 13.

The Parkfields prop starred as England slipped to a narrow 25-18 defeat to Wales in Coventry on Sunday, ruling him out of his club’s 21-14 defeat to London Division Two South West league leaders London Irish Amateurs 24 hours earlier.

That result leaves head coach Earle Wilkes’ men entrenched in a relegation scrap with Bognor, Weybridge Vandals and London South Africa towards the foot of the table ahead of Saturday’s crunch trip to bottom side Winchester.

Twickenham face the exiled Springboks at the same time Aldridge heads north of the Border on international duty, but the forward reckons there will be no problems regarding his absence.

“We are having a difficult season, considering we were second in the table in October during the middle of an unbeaten run,” he said.

“We have a good run-in. We play a lot of the teams around us so it is still well within our own hands. We are still a young side and I expect us to develop.

“It was disappointing to miss out last week, but representing your country is a huge honour and the club have been very supportive despite the circumstances.”

England Deaf rugby, including Barnes’ Guy Lavery and Richmond’s Kris Mannering, have been on the wrong end of some heavy defeats to Wales in the recent past.

But they came close to upsetting the form book at the weekend with 20 points from the boot of Welsh full-back Celyn Ashton ultimately separating the sides.

“Our discipline cost us. We gave them 18 points in penalties. Wales didn’t play much rugby and the penalties were the difference,” added Aldridge.

“It was disappointing, but it shows we have made a massive step forward.

“A couple of players have come in from a higher level, but it is the support structure behind the team that has made the big difference.

“The RFU have got more involved, which has meant better financing, better management and better coaching. As the word spreads England Deaf rugby is only going to get better.”