Jersey have confirmed a third pre-season fixture ahead of their
2015/16 campaign, plus a new addition to the club's squad.
The Islanders will take on Plymouth Albion on Saturday August
8th in their opening match of a pre-season trilogy that also
includes Welsh region Scarlets and London club Blackheath.
Jersey and Albion have rubbed shoulders in the Greene King IPA
Championship for the past three seasons prior to the Devon club's
relegation at the end of 2014/15. Jersey won four of the six league
matches between the sides during this period, while two British
& Irish Cup ties were split 1-1.
"We enjoyed our encounters with Albion and are pleased to have
an early chance to renew acquaintances as the new season gets
underway," said Jersey RFC Chairman Bill Dempsey. "Director of
Rugby Graham Dawe is looking to develop a very competitive squad
for the forthcoming season in National One, and this will be a good
test for both clubs."
The Island side have also confirmed a loan deal with Wasps for
Will Rowlands - the lock is set to link up with Jersey following
the Rugby World Cup, which finishes at the end of October.
London-born Rowlands, 24 (pictured
above#), joined Wasps in summer 2014 after
completing a degree at Oxford University, during which time he was
awarded Blues in the 2012 and 2013 Varsity Matches. The former
Rugby School pupil has made seven appearances for Wasps in the LV
Cup, and could be in contention for Aviva Premiership action at the
start of 2015/16 should his team-mate Joe Launchbury gain a place
in England's World Cup squad.
"Coming to Jersey on loan for the majority of the coming season
will offer a great opportunity for Will to improve his rugby skills
in the Championship, and he looks set to be a major asset to Jersey
during this time," added Biljon.
The Jersey squad have now reported for the first phase of
pre-season strength and conditioning work, building up to the
August friendlies and the opening round of this season's Greene
King IPA Championship at the start of September.
Jersey Squad 2015/16 (new signings marked
*)
Forwards: Joe Buckle, Charlie Butterworth*, Nick
Campbell, Ben Featherstone*, James Freeman*, Martin Garcia-Veiga,
Cosma Garfagnoli*, Gary Graham, Nick Haining, Danny Herriott, Sam
Lockwood, Dave Markham, Sean McCarthy*, Pierce Phillips, Alex Rae,
Will Rowlands*, Ignacio Saenz-Lancuba, Nick Selway, Tommy
Spinks*.
Backs: Ross Adair*, Jack Burroughs, Mark Cooke*,
Brendan Cope*, Ed Dawson, Joel Dudley, Oli Evans*, Sami Fisilau,
Tom Howe*, Richard Lane*, Jack Moates*, Mark McCrea, Fautua Otto,
Aaron Penberthy, Lewis Robling.
Jersey RFC pre-season programme
Saturday August 8th - Plymouth Albion - H - 5pm
Saturday August 15th - Scarlets - H - 4pm
Saturday August 22nd - Blackheath - H - KO tbc
# picture courtesy Richard Lane
Photography
