It’s another fixture that’s about to put Huddersfield YMCA even more on the wider rugby union map.

On Sunday, December 7 at 2.30pm, Laund Hill will stage the British and Irish Cup clash between Yorkshire Carnegie and Ulster Ravens.

A four-figure crowd looks on the cards for one of several ‘On the road’ Carnegie B & I clashes, with advance sales having already reach the 500 mark.

As a result, excitement levels are growing all the time.

Yet for one member of the YMCA’s coaching staff that excitement is even more significant.

For Ben Harris, it’s a fixture that can’t come soon enough.

By day, he’s a key member of the Carnegie pack. By night, the loosehead prop helps coach the YMCA forwards doing battle in National III North and can also be seen in the YM dug-out on a matchday when his Carnegie commitments permit.

But on December 7, the roles will be reversed.

It’ll be the boys from the YM on the sidelines and Harris on the field, determined to lead from the front as Carnegie look to inflict defeat on the Irish.

And as someone who played as a junior at Laund Hill, the Huddersfield-born former All Saints High School pupil who has represented Yorkshire at all levels and also played for England Counties the match is one to whet the appetite.

“Playing back at the YM is going to mean a lot to me,” said Harris.

“It‘s the place where I played as a kid, so I suppose you could say I’m about to come ‘home’.

“I just hope we can mark the occasion by getting a good win against Ulster and put in a decent performance in front of a really good crowd.

“The aim of taking our B & I Cup games on the road – we’re not doing it with our Championship fixtures which are all still being staged at Headingley – is to build the Yorkshire Carnegie brand throughout the county and develop our fanbase.

“So we’re hoping the Huddersfield supporters get behind this fixture 100%. If they do, then I know this game will be a massive success.

“At the same time, this is a great opportunity for the YMCA to show a wider sporting public exactly what the facility has to offer. We’re proud of the facilities at the YMCA, and I know what a positive impression it’ll make on anyone who comes to visit us on the day.

“There’s no doubt December 7 could be a great day all round.”

Harris will certainly be guaranteed the full support of everyone at the YMCA, particularly given his valuable current contribution.

And that would delight the former Rotherham Titans star, who thoroughly enjoys the coaching role he plays.

“I’m only 25, so being a coach at this stage isn’t something I’ve thought about too much,” he added.

“But I am thoroughly enjoying the coaching role I’m playing at the moment. It’s very rewarding helping in a young player’s development.

“I’ve always thought a lot about the game, and the ways in which the performances of an individual and a team can be improved, so I suppose becoming a coach would be a natural step.

“But for now, I’m enjoying being a player at Yorkshire Carnegie and looking forward to playing at the YMCA again next month.”