Jersey travel to south-west London this weekend seeking to snap a run of five successive defeats against London Scottish.
As the Greene King IPA Championship resumes after a week's break for the Rugby World Cup Final, both sides will be looking to propel themselves up the table after some disappointing recent results. Jersey lie ninth after successive defeats to London Welsh and Nottingham, while the Exiles are two places and four points better off, but have lost three games in a row, at home to Nottingham and on the road at Cornish Pirates and Doncaster.
In October 2012 Jersey registered their first-ever Championship win against Scottish at St Peter, with tries from Guy Thompson and James Copsey setting up a 20-17 win. Five months later the Islanders scored five tries at the Athletic Ground to their hosts' four but were defeated 41-33, and in the last two seasons the Exiles have done the double, with Jersey failing to take a point from any of the four encounters.
Jersey welcome back scrum-half Sami Fisilau for his first start since returning from Rugby World Cup duty with Tonga, while Aaron Penberthy will play his first competitive rugby of the season after being selected ahead of Rich Lane at full-back. Fautua Otto is back at centre, with Mark McCrea dropping to the bench.
Jersey's pack is unchanged in the front and back rows from the last match against Nottingham, while in the second row new signing Dave McKern will make his first start for Jersey alongside Pierce Phillips.
Two other recent signings are among Jersey's replacements: prop Oliver Tomaszczyk and Tongan international Uili Kolo'ofa'i covering the back five of the scrum.
There will be a large contingent heading to London for one of just two fixtures this season which can be reached in a day-trip from the Island, with the travelling numbers swelled further by the Jersey Athletic squad who will play a Zoo Shield match against London Scottish Highlanders at 12noon, prior to the 1st XV encounter at 2pm.
Jersey v London Scottish - GKIPA Championship, Sat Nov 7th, The Athletic Ground, Richmond, k-o 2pm
Backs (15-9)
Aaron Penberthy
Tom Howe
Fautua Otto
Lewis Robling
Ross Adair
Brendan Cope
Sami Fisilau
Forwards (1-8)
Sam Lockwood
Martin Garcia-Veiga
Danny Herriott
Dave McKern
Pierce Phillips
Alex Rae (capt)
Gary Graham
Nick Haining
Replacements
Nick Selway
Ignacio Lancuba
Oliver Tomaszczyk
Uili Kolo'ofa'i
James Freeman
Jack Moates
Mark McCrea
