Just a few words to let you all know about selection for this weekend’s game, as well as a more general squad report. We hope to have this as a feature for the foreseeable future to give you all of the information ahead of matchday.

- Baz

Ahead of Saturday’s game, Baz writes:

Hi all,

In the front row, with Chris Joyce still on concussion protocol, Luke Ellis comes back in to the hooker spot, having been away last week. Josh Hewitt did a great job last weekend in the number two shirt and adds another string to his bow. He had some excellent lineout skill throwing sessions with Dave Hynard last week and responded really well to the temporary shift of position. Josh gets a spot on the bench this weekend. Harry Morgan and Geoff Hughes both keep their spots, and start alongside Ellis in the front row.

The second row remains unchanged, Jack Elston and James Kinsley both equipping themselves well last weekend, and they retain their places. Matt Perks is still away on his veterinary course up North. He is dual-registered with Dudley Kingswinford and is playing for them again this week.

In the back row we have swapped around Dan Belton and Chris Joannou this week for no other reason than keeping the squad fresh. I am sure Dan will come on and do some damage at some point! Captain Josh Corcoran remains at seven after returning last weekend, with Torran MacDougall at number eight.

The half backs are the same as last week, with Ben Lloyd again having an excellent game and Michael Sargent also playing very well last week after returning to the squad following injury and two weeks in the second team. Ben Creasey was rested last week and drops down into the 2nd XV. Sargent and Creasey offer us different qualities at scrum half but for this week we have gone with Sargent.

In the centres Stuart Smart returns at 12 and Aaron Lowe, who had an outstanding game last week, remains at 13 and Sean Taylor is once again in the 15 shirt. We have tweaked things on the wing, with Richard Streets there for the first time this season and Jack Mitchell, who has been very good for us all season, given a rest week.

Kyle Lemon is the backs sub, having made a huge contribution when he came on last week providing us with the ability to cover most positions in the back line.

In other news, second row James Keens is making a welcome return to rugby this week and will get a blow out in the 3rd XV, as Westcombe Park have pulled out of the 2nd XV fixture.

Louis Cas is no more than 3 or 4 weeks away and Najee Mundicha should be back at the beginning of December from his recent hamstring issues. Dave Archer is still on the injured list and Charlotte and her team are managing him.

Longer-term injuries to Rob Jones and Jamie Prince will see them out for the foreseeable future, and we are awaiting to hear updates on both.

The boys are looking forward to the visit of Westcombe Park on Saturday and preparation has been excellent all week. The club’s under 9's will be in attendance for the match day experience and will be looked after by Jack Mitchell and Oliver Cain, both of whom started their lives in Hertford minis. I would like to also take this opportunity to thank Emily Porter and Steve Smotherly for setting this relationship with the junior section of the club all in motion.

Saturday is also VP's lunch so we look forward to seeing you in the bar afterwards!!

Finally, most of you will know that former 1st XV coach Graeme 'Vinny' Walters had a stroke last week and was rushed to hospital. I've been to visit him a number of times since and he's recovering well. From the squad and the coaching staff, we wish you all the best on a speedy recovery.

Hertford team to face Westcombe Park at Hoe Lane, kick off 2.30pm

15. Sean Taylor
14. Michael Allan
13. Aaron Lowe
12. Stuart Smart
11. Richard Streets
10. Ben Lloyd
9. Michael Sargent

1. Harry Morgan
2. Luke Ellis
3. Geoff Hughes
4. Jack Elston
5. James Kinsley
6. Chris Joannou
7. Josh Corcoran (c)
8. Torran MacDougal

16. Josh Hewitt
17. Dan Belton
18. Kyle Lemon