Canowindra native John Grant, the nephew of Orange rugby legend James Grant, couldn't hide his excitement at taking to Wade Park today in the NSW Country Eagles' National Rugby Championship round five, top-of-table clash with the Melbourne Rising.

Grant will take his place on the wing for the Eagles in today's clash, at Wade Park, and is hoping to use his best asset - speed - to help his side secure victory.

"I do think [today] will come down to defence," Grant said.

"Hopefully I can myself some space, but to do that we need to retain ball and use it well. They have some seriously good players floating around their team.

Grant, who came second behind Lachie Turner in the 2010 Gatorade Bolt to determine the fastest man in any code of football, has forever been labelled one of the quickest to take to a rugby field in recent memory.

He played down his pace, instead preferring to focus on his return to the central west.

"Having this 40 minutes from home, it is absolutely a home game for me, I've been calling it a home game all week," he laughed.

After leaving Canowindra to attend Sydney's Riverview school, Grant earned contracts with Wests Tigers in the NRL and spent a year as a full-time Australian sevens player.

Eventually, he fell into his role at Eastwood Rugby Club, where he has shone for several seasons.

Eagles' coach Darren Coleman said Grant is a vital cog in the NSW Country machine, and said fans should expect to be impressed if the speedy winger gets a chance to hit top speed.

"Yeah he's pretty quick," Coleman laughed.

"But he has plenty of other assets which make him crucial for us. He's great in the air, and defends very well as a part of our back three.

"His work is strong in the back field, in particular his kick reception."

Today's game kicks off at 3pm.