Jersey's first opponents of 2012/13 have started preparing for
their visit to the Island.
Leicester Tigers will take on Jersey at St Peter on Saturday
11th August (k-o 4pm) in a game sponsored by Ashburton, a loyal
supporter of JRFC for many years.
Tigers' Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill said his club's
preparations for the new season were moving towards top gear.
"We've been working on conditioning work in the opening phase of
pre-season - we've got six new players to settle into the squad,
however there are still a lot of players enjoying a break after
their international commitments in June," said Cockerill. "When we
get everyone back together we'll step up the work again, and we've
got a one-week training camp before our first game against
Jersey.
"Tigers have some strong links in the Channel Islands, such as
those established through the annual Ashburton-sponsored Leicester
Tigers rugby development camps, and we're delighted to be able to
make the trip to Jersey.
"We'll be taking the whole squad over for a few days, it'll be
good to keep the boys together as a unit, and we'll also be hoping
to do some coaching with some local kids, as well as kicking off
our pre-season fixtures with the game on the Saturday."
Cockerill (pictured above) said he had been very impressed with
the way the Island side had made their mark on the UK rugby
landscape.
"As a club Jersey have enjoyed some great success in the last
few seasons and now they're a Championship team which says a lot
for their set-up and their ambitions," he added. "They've come up
through the divisions and they'll want to get a good start to the
new season.
"Rugby is clearly an important part of the community on the
island and it'll be good to have the opportunity to go there and be
a part of that. I'm sure it'll be a great start to the season for
both sides."
Leicester's new signings for 2012/13 are:
* Rob Andrew, South African lock, signed from Pau in
France
* Veroniki Goneva, Fijian centre/ wing, from Tarbes in France
* Matt Cornwell, centre/ fly-half, returning to Leicester after a
spell in Italy
* Adam Thompstone, wing, from London Irish
* Dan Bowden, centre/ fly-half from London Irish
* Miles Benjamin, wing, from Worcester Warriors.
Tickets for the game are on sale from Jersey Rugby Club between
9am and 1pm Monday- Friday and additionally from 6pm to 8pm on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, or from the Jersey Evening Post offices in
Five Oaks (8.30am to 5pm on weekdays) or Red Properties, The
Esplanade, St Helier (9am to 5pm weekdays). Adult tickets are £15;
children aged 16 and under will be admitted free (proof-of-age will
be required).
A substantial contingent of Leicester Tigers supporters,
estimated at more than 400, is expected to travel to Jersey for the
game, which takes place 48 hours after the annual Battle of Flowers
festivities.
