Jersey Reds head to west London this weekend seeking to maintain their winning start to 2016/17.
Although the Reds have won both Greene King IPA Championship matches so far, last weekend's victory over Bedford Blues was of the ugly variety, and the Islanders will be seeking an improved performance against old rivals Ealing Trailfinders at Vallis Way.
The two sides have been in the same league for four of the last six seasons, claiming four wins each during that period. But the Londoners have had the better of it at Championship level, with three wins from four games, including both encounters on their home ground. This season Trailfinders began with a home defeat by Yorkshire Carnegie, but then claimed three points in a 31-all draw with Cornish Pirates at the Mennaye Field last weekend.
Three former Jersey players are now on the books at Ealing - fly-halves Jonny Bentley and Aaron Penberthy, and loose-head prop Nacho Lancuba. Both Penberthy and Lancuba have been named in the Ealing squad - see home squad details HERE (but please not correct KO time is 2pm)
Jersey Reds Head Coach Harvey Biljon has made five changes to his starting XV from the line-up who began the 14-9 win over Bedford last Saturday. Nick Selway, Nick Campbell and James Doyle come into the front, second and back rows of the scrum respectively, replacing the injured Joe Buckle, Pierce Phillips and James Freeman.
In the back-line there are opportunities for scrum-half Sami Fisilau and centre Jordan Davies, with Kieran Hardy and Lewis Robling switching to the bench. In the absence of Phillips and Freeman, the two men who have captained the side during the season thus far, the side will be led by centre Regan King.
The Reds bench includes two players set to make their league debuts: prop Jake Armstrong and hooker Jack Macfarlane. Another prop, Jake Woolmore, could make his first competitive appearance of the season, while lock James Voss is in line to play his first competitive rugby since moving back to Jersey this summer.
After flying back from London on Saturday evening, the Reds will focus on their second home league game of the season, the 'Friday Night Lights' encounter with Nottingham at St Peter on September 23rd, which will be the first night game since the floodlights were upgraded this summer. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and there is a special £10 offer for pre-match meals in the supporters marquee. Details are available HERE
Jersey Reds squad v Ealing Trailfinders (A) - Greene King IPA Championship, Saturday September 17th, Trailfinders Sports Ground, Vallis Way, London W13; k-o 2pm
Backs (15-9)
Jack Cuthbert
George Watkins
Regan King (capt)
Jordan Davies
Ross Adair
Brendan Cope
Sami Fisilau
Forwards (1-8)
Marc Thomas
Nick Selway
Simon Kerrod
Nick Campbell
Dave McKern
Max Argyle
James Doyle
Nick Haining
Replacements
Jack Macfarlane, Jake Woolmore, Jake Armstrong, James Voss, Uili Kolo'ofa'i; Kieran Hardy, Lewis Robling
Head Coach: Harvey Biljon
Assistant Coach: Alex Rae
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Jim Molony
Analyst: Sam Collington
Physiotherapists: Alena Dostalova; Chloe Montgomery
Team Manager: Guy Hinks
