Jersey Reds begin their 2019/20 campaign at Stade Santander International with a pre-season visit from National 1 opponents Old Elthamians.
The London side had ambitions to join the Reds in the Greene King IPA Championship this season, but were eventually pipped to the National 1 title by Ampthill.
Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon hands debuts to three of his new signings in the starting XV. In the pack, second row duo Alex Thompson and Sam Offer get the first opportunities for their new club. They’ll pack down behind a front row of Harry Morley, Jack Macfarlane and Alec Clarey, the latter making a welcome return after injuring himself at Coventry in the opening league game of last season.
Number eight Max Argyle will skipper the side and is flanked in the back row by Jake Upfield and Conor Joyce.
The starting half-backs will be Liam Howley and Aaron Penberthy, while the third debutant is centre George Spencer, who will partner Mark Best in midfield. The back three is made up of wingers Jack Stapley and Leroy Van Dam, plus full-back Auguy Slowik - Slowik is another player returning from injury having missed the last three months of 2018/19.
Another six new signings are standing by to make their debuts for the Reds from the bench: hooker TJ Harris, prop James Wayland, flanker Josh Bainbridge, scrum-half Luc Jones, fly-half Greg Dyer and wing Tom Williams. The new faces are joined on the bench by four retained players: prop Roy Godfrey, second row Charlie Beckett, back row man Kyle Hatherell and three-quarter James Newey.
To see pictures and profiles of the entire Reds' squad, click HERE
Admission to the game is £5 for all adult spectators, payable on the gate. Under 18s will be admitted free.
The two clubs also met in a pre-season game 12 months ago at Stade Santander International, with the Reds winning 35-7. The 1st XV game at 3pm will be preceded by a 2nd XV Zoo Shield encounter between Jersey Reds Athletic and Elthamians 2nd XV at 12noon.
Jersey Reds have three pre-season games, the second of which will see them make the journey to Moscow, where they will play the Russian national side on Tuesday August 27th in a warm-up match for the hosts ahead of the Rugby World Cup. The pre-season schedule concludes on Saturday September 7th when Guinness PRO14 side Scarlets come to Stade Santander International.
Competitive action for the Reds begins with a Championship Cup tie at home to Newcastle Falcons on Saturday September 21st, while the first league match will be at home to Coventry on Saturday October 12th.
For a full fixture list, see HERE
To add this season's fixtures to your calendar, please click on THIS LINK
