Mike Schmid has told his Esher high-flyers to expect a backlash from struggling Nuneaton at Molesey Road on Saturday.

Esher’s director of rugby was delighted with the 57-10 demolition of Otley last weekend that extended their lead at the top of National One to five points.

But Schmid insists there will be no room for complacency against a team coached by his old Rotherham pal Mike Umaga, brother of All Blacks legend Tana.

“I played with and coached with Mike for six or seven years at Rotherham and he is very passionate and knows his rugby inside out,” said Schmid.

“They had a tough defeat at Launceston last weekend and he will be demanding a reaction from his players.

“He’s a very methodical coach and will have identified areas in which they can do damage against us.

“You always have to respect the opposition and we must make sure we are fully focused.”

Esher’s eight-try bonus-point victory at Otley extended their lead over local rivals London Scottish to five points.

Shawn Renwick and Simon Gaynor grabbed try doubles, while James Campbell, Garrick Cowley, Sam Stitcher and Tom Loizides also crossed, with Sam Ulph converting seven and adding a penalty.

It was the perfect 40th birthday present for coach Schmid, who admitted: “I was exceptionally pleased with the performance.

“They had only lost once at home this season so it was tremendous to score eight tries.

“It was one of those games that as a coach, you really enjoy watching. Most facets of our game were pretty strong.

“We were powerful up front and kept up the level of physicality we had shown against Cambridge and Launceston before the week off.

“Perhaps the most pleasing thing was our ball retention and there was some great interaction between forwards and backs that kept us on the front foot all day.

“Our speed at the breakdown was also exceptional.”

Now Schmid has challenged his side to keep raising the bar with games against Nuneaton, Blaydon and Wharfedale before the Christmas break.

He said: “We’ve got to keep pushing and challenging ourselves. There can’t be any complacency because it is a tough league.

“But we have been getting better and better throughout the season and it’s also good to see the squad getting healthier and healthier at the same time with several players ready putting their hands up for selection after injuries.”

Dynamic lock James Inglis continued his comeback in the second XV’s 40-0 victory at Ealing while club record points scorer Neil Hallett is also pushing for a first-team recall.

But Schmid will not make a decision until Friday about on-loan Harlequins duo Joe Marler and Sam Smith, who are training with England U20s in Portugal.

He added: “I’ll be speaking with the coach Mark Mapletoft at the end of the week to see whether they should be involved.”