One of the biggest games of the season so far sees Jersey Reds battling to top their British & Irish Cup pool, with the winners guaranteed a home quarter-final in the knockout tournament for the 12 clubs from the English Championship and eight representative 'A' teams from the Welsh and Irish regions.
The Reds are looking for a large and noisy home crowd to get behind the team at St Peter - kick-off is at the earlier time of 2pm - as they strive to bring knock-out rugby to the Island on the second weekend of March. Harvey Biljon's side will be keen to follow-up the 10-55 win over Cardiff Blues Select last Saturday (watch the tries from that game HERE)
For team news on the eve of the big game, see HERE
The Reds are looking to at least emulate last season's cup run - this included a dramatic win at Doncaster in the final pool match, a gritty quarter-final triumph at Bedford and finally an agonising 33-32 semi-final defeat to Yorkshire Carnegie at Headingley.
Ulster 'A' won the first encounter against the Reds this season with a 19-6 success in Belfast, and will be keen to reach the last eight for the first time since 2011. Their squad is likely to be a mixture of youth and experience, featuring several players who have earned a significant amount of 'game time' for the Ulster's 1st XV in the RaboDirect Pro12 or European Champions Cup. On several occasions this season they have fielded full Irish internationals in their B&I squad, such as British Lion Tommy Bowe (pictured below during the game against the Reds in October).
Advance tickets for the big game can be obtained online via THIS LINK, while there is also the opportunity to book lunch in the supporters' marquee via the same link (or email Sean Dunne if you have any queries). Lunch will be available from 12noon, and the price of £10 per person covers a hot main course and selection of cheeses to follow.
Supporters are also reminded that the usual Friday night reception will take place on the eve of the game. The Barclays Pavilion will be open from 5.30 to 7.30pm, with chance for supporters to have an end-of-week drink and look forward to the match. Free nibbles will be laid on and we know of at least one visiting Ulster supporter who'll be in the house!
For those trying to plot how the final weekend of pool games, and the quarter-final line-up, may pan out, the following guide may help.
The standings ahead of Round 6
Q = qualified for quarter-final; H = home draw for teams ranked 1st-4th
1. Munster 'A' 28.5 pts (with no game this weekend, Munster have achieved 95% of the maximum tally in their pool by getting 19 pts out of a possible 20; all other contending teams have a maximum tally of 30 points) (Q H)
2. London Irish 24 (Q H)
3. Ealing Trailfinders 21 (Q)
4. Ulster 'A' 19
5. Jersey Reds 18
6. Scarlets Premiership Select 17
7. Yorkshire Carnegie 16
8. Cornish Pirates 15
9. Nottingham 15
10. Leinster 'A' 11
Teams level on points are separated first by the number of games won, then points difference. Full results and pool tables can be see HERE
The relevant games this weekend (all except the Leinster game are at 2pm on Saturday)
