Jersey Reds will be looking to build some league momentum when they welcome Cornish Pirates to Stade Santander International this Friday.
As the two sides lock horns under the Friday Night Lights, the hosts will be keen to back up their win at Hartpury last Saturday, which featured a second-half comeback from 12-0 behind to win 19-20, easing the anguish of the 24-26 defeat against Doncaster on home turf the week before. But the Pirates will also have a point to prove as they look to get their first win of the new Greene King IPA Championship season, having sustained defeats by a point (away at Ealing Trailfinders to start the season) and two points (at home to promotion favourites Bristol last Sunday).
Reds Head Coach Harvey Biljon has selected the same 22 players as lined up at Hartpury. Two changes to the starting XV see props Roy Godfrey and Jake Armstrong selected to start the game, with Jake Woolmore and Leeroy Atalifo switching to the bench.
The Reds had the edge over the Pirates last season: a 27-24 victory on home soil in November's league encounter was sealed by a late penalty from Sam Katz after the visitors had battled their way back to level the scores; in March another place-kick made the difference as Jersey claimed a first-ever win on Cornish soil thanks to Callum Sheedy's conversion of a Sean McCarthy try, and a week later the Reds won 36-20 at home in a B&I quarter-final tie.
But in spite of last season's hat-trick, the Pirates still have the edge overall since a 6-20 victory on the Island in Jersey's first Championship match back in September 2012, winning seven of the 13 games between the clubs.
After the Pirates match, the Reds will focus on a trip to London to take on Richmond on Saturday September 23rd, prior to welcoming Bedford Blues to Stade Santander International on Saturday August 30th (kick-off at 3pm). Advance tickets for the Blues game are available via Eventbrite - LINK
This weekend also sees two of the Reds' other adult sides in action: Jersey Reds Athletic travel to Coventry on Saturday for a Zoo Shield match that kicks off at 1pm; while on Sunday Jersey Reds Women play their opening league match of the season, entertaining Trojans with a scheduled 1.30pm kick-off.
Jersey Reds squad v Cornish Pirates (H) - Greene King IPA Championship, Round 3/22, Friday September 15th, Stade Santander International; k-o 7.45pm
Backs (15-9)
Scott van Breda (capt)
Tom Pincus
Mark Best
Apakuki Ma'afu
Jason Worrall
Brendan Cope
Kieran Hardy
Forwards (1-8)
Roy Godfrey
Jared Saunders
Jake Armstrong
Dave McKern
Jerry Sexton
Matt Rogerson
Conor Joyce
Rory Pitman
Replacements
Jake Woolmore, Nick Selway, Leeroy Atalifo, Rory Bartle, Max Argyle; Joel Dudley, Ellis Abrahams
