Jersey will seek a third successive win in the Greene King IPA Championship when they make their first-ever visit to Old Deer Park this weekend.
London Welsh returned to their south-west London base this summer and will meet a visiting side looking to continue recent upward progress in the Championship table.
Head Coach Harvey Biljon has made just two changes to his starting XV, with centre Fautua Otto and lock Nick Campbell absent due to injury. Mark Cooke comes into midfield, while Dave Markham is selected in the 'engine room' alongside Pierce Phillips.
The Islanders' bench features two players set to make their competitive debuts: hooker Russell Anderson and lock Dave McKern, the latter a recent signing from UC Vikings in Canberra, Australia. There is also a welcome return after injury for back row man James Freeman.
Jersey and London Welsh have only previously 'co-habited' in the same division for one season - the Championship in 2013/14. The two clubs played out a closely-contested match at St Peter, eventually won 26-33 by the visitors; however by April the Exiles were moving into top gear in what was to become a promotion-winning season and won the return match at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford by 45-7.
On their return to level two after relegation from the Aviva Premiership last time around, Welsh had a solid first month of the new season, with away wins at Doncaster and Moseley, a home victory over Bedford and just one defeat at the hands of Bristol. October has been disappointing so far, with defeats at London Scottish (11-10) and last Friday at Nottingham (30-10).
After Jersey's successive wins over Moseley and Bedford, the Islanders are one place and a single point behind London Welsh in the middle of the Championship table.
Jersey will be back in action on home soil next week for a Friday night game under lights at St Peter, when Nottingham will be the visitors. Kick-off on Friday October 23rd will be at 7.45pm.
Jersey v London Welsh - GKIPA Championship, Sat Oct 17th, Old Deer Park, k-o 2pm
Backs (15-9)
Rich Lane
Tom Howe
Lewis Robling
Mark Cooke
Ross Adair
Brendan Cope
Joel Dudley
Forwards (1-8)
Sam Lockwood
Martin Garcia-Veiga
Danny Herriott
Dave Markham
Pierce Phillips
Alex Rae (capt)
Gary Graham
Nick Haining
Replacements
Russell Anderson
Ignacio Lancuba
Ben Featherstone
Dave McKern
James Freeman
Jack Moates
Mark McCrea
