Zimbabwe international Kingsley Lang is set to make his first
appearance for Jersey 1st XV for 15 months as the Island
side open their 2014/15 season with a pre-season match with Ayr.
The game is at St Peter tomorrow (August 16th) at 4pm.
Lang, who recently represented his country in several qualifying
matches for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, has earned a place in the
Jersey squad for the forthcoming season. He last played for Jersey
1st XV in the 2013 Siam Cup and last year represented
the club's amateur side Jersey Athletic.
"Kingsley has been playing a high standard of rugby over the
course of the summer and has earned an opportunity to come into the
1st XV squad, where he can cover five positions and in
my opinion definitely has something to offer," said Head Coach
Harvey Biljon.
"He's impressed in training and having only seen him play live
in games against the Pirates two seasons ago, I'm looking forward
to seeing what he can do in a match situation. I want to have
closer links between the 1st XV and the Athletic and
this demonstrates that there is a pathway."
Lang is currently training full-time with the 1st XV
squad ahead of the school term, when he will resume his teaching
role at De La Salle College.
"The school has been very supportive of my rugby and am very
grateful for the flexibility they are willing to provide, which has
enabled me to put my hand up for the 1st XV," said Lang.
"I am looking to push myself to play at the highest level possible,
both in the Greene King IPA Championship and for Zimbabwe in the
forthcoming Tri-Nations matches in November."
Lang is named on the Jersey bench for the encounter with
Scottish side Ayr. The two clubs met twice in last season's British
& Irish Cup, with the home side winning on each occasion. Six
of Biljon's new signings this summer are set to make their debuts
in the starting XV, with another seven signings named on the
bench.
Biljon added: "I am looking forward to seeing what the new faces
can do. People shouldn't read too much into the selection as I'm
intending to give players equal game time over the course of our
three pre-season matches so everyone has the opportunity to compete
for a place in the 22 for our first league match at Moseley on
September 6th."
Jersey squad vs Ayr
1 Sam Lockwood
2 Martin Garcia-Veiga *
3 Danny Herriott *
4 Pierce Phillips *
5 Dave Markham
6 Nick Haining *
7 Ryan Hodson
8 Ben Maidment
9 Joel Dudley
10 Lewis Robling *
11 Ed Dawson
12 Mark McCrea
13 Drew Locke
14 Mark Foster
15 Tommy Bell *
16 Ignacio Lancuba *
17 Gareth Harris *
18 Harry Williams *
19 Kingsley Lang
20 Michael Noone *
21 Ryan Glynn *
22 Jonny Bentley *
23 Tobias Hoskins *
24 Jack Burroughs
* Signifies player yet to make debut for Jersey
1st XV
