As CSU aims to become the first side in the New Holland Cup competition to beat Parkes this season, they've welcomed some help from two local league icons to help add starch to their defence.

Royce George and Kevin Grimshaw spent time at training in the build up to this Saturday's clash at University Oval, imparting some of their vast knowledge to students eager to succeed.

While CSU president and first XV prop Marcus Burrell is a passionate rugby union man, he realised the value of working with the pair.

George not only won Group 10 premierships with Bathurst Charlestons and Bathurst Railway, but played for Cronulla. He's since gone on to be a selector, coach and manager.

A Canowindra Tigers product, Grimshaw has been a premiership winning coach at under 18s, reserve grade and first grade level.

"Defence is a big one we've worked on, we've had a few guest coaches come up to help us work on our defence, which is really good," Burrell said.

"We had Royce George come up, he and Kev Grimshaw came up and gave us a hand - they are both league guys so we are pulling help from everywhere.

"Conz [CSU coach Dave Conyers] got them to come up and give us a hand, we worked on our defence with them and just those little pointers that we forgot or just haven't used. It was probably one of the best sessions we've had all year and what we needed going into Parkes this weekend.

"They obviously know a different style of tackling, a different style of defence to what we use, so it was very good to learn those skills."

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While Parkes will finish the regular season as the minor premiers and CSU in second no matter the result of Saturday's clash, Burrell and his team-mates are determined to head into the finals series with the confidence that comes with a win over the Boars.

Parkes has won two tight battles with CSU so far this season - 35-27 and 22-18 - but the students will field a stronger first XV against the Boars than they had in those encounters this time.

As well as demonstrating the work they have put into defence - Boars flyhalf Luke Bevan in particular will be a marked man - Burrell said being on target with kicking shapes as a critical factor.

"We've spoke about it for probably the last two or three weeks, this is the game that we've been looking forward to, we really want to get a win over them as a confidence thing," he said.

"They're a very handy side, but we haven't really played them at full strength yet, so this will be a good test.

"The only thing that has cost us against Parkes so far has been conversions, they haven't scored more tries than us in games yet. Old Boys Day here we missed four or five conversions and over there we let them back into the game with penalty goals and conversions.

"So it's score tries then hopefully we can finish off with the conversions.

"It's our family, sponsors and charity day too, we're raising money for Headspace and recognising the sponsors and the fans who have helped us with footy ... so we'd really like to win and make it a big day."

Kick-off is at 3.15pm on Saturday.

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