This game will be an early test
for both players and coaches before the start of the new Greene
King IPA Championship next month with new captain Alex Rae leading
his team out for the first time at St. Peter in front of a large
home crowd.
The day of Jersey RFC's first
preseason-match against Leicester Tigers is nearly upon us, and the
excitement is almost tangible. With Aviva Premiership Champions
Leicester Tigers expected to name a full-strength side the battle
at hand for the new look JRFC is greater than ever and will need
the whole Island behind them (KO 3pm).
There will be six new players
starting in the Jersey line-up, including lock forward Rae who is
hoping to lead the team to victory. There will be further seven new
players on the replacements bench including two recent local
signings; Luke Stratford and Jack Burroughs. Both of whom have
progressed though the JRFC Academy and can't wait for the season to
start with a potential debut for Stratford against
Tigers.
Myles Landick, Mark McCrea and
Joel Dudley will be missing the game though injury, while returning
signing Latu Makaafi will miss the game due to suspension following
a red card received while playing for Rotherham Titans at the end
of last season.
After Leicester's 35-21 victory
over Jersey last year, the game is expected to be an even closer
and more exciting match with several British and Irish Lions
expected to feature.
Forward and Defence coach Steve
Boden said: "It's a huge game for the Club, by the sounds of it
Tigers will have their first choice fifteen out and will be going
out to destroy us.
"But mark my words we will be
doing exactly the same. Last year was amazing, there's going to be
a massive crowd and the atmosphere will be electric up
here."
Tickets are still available in
all of the usual spots, but it is advised at this late stage that
there will be plenty of tickets available on match day at both
entrance gates.
Jersey 1st XV:
15 Grant Pointer
14 Mark Foster
13 Drew Locke
12 David Bishop
11 Ed Dawson
10 Niall O'Connor
9 Nicky Griffiths
1 Sean McCarthy
2 Elvis Taione
3 Jon Brennan
4 Nick Campbell
5 Alex Rae ©
6 Fred Silcock
7 Joe Buckle
8 Tom Brown
Replacements:
16 Tom Fidler,
17 Dave Felton, 18 Dave Young, 19 Dave
Markham, 20 Rob Anderson, 21 Jame Voss, 22 Luke
Stratford, 23 Jimmy Williams, 24 Aaron
Penberthy, 25 Tom Cooper, 26 Jack
Burroughs, 27 James Copsey, 28 Ben
Maidment.
Written by
Emma Glendening
