It didn’t help us getting a red card after 10 minutes last Saturday, but we felt the performance was there and, for a large period, the game could have gone either way. We offer no excuses but we were proud of the way the boys played and the heart and desire to play the way they did with fourteen players.

This week, we are all looking forward to the game against Guernsey and we’re keen to repay their immense hospitality that they always show us when we go over there.

The team this week sees a swap around in the starting front row, as Louis Castiglone starts at loosehead and Harry Morgan reverts to the bench. Both are in good from and keep putting pressure on each other, but Cas gets the nod this weekend. Chris Joyce remains at hooker and Geoff Hughes keeps his spot at tighthead.

James Kinsley and Jack Elston combine again in the boiler room, with James Keens the other forward replacement, having made a big impact coming off the bench last week. Chris Joannou will play in the 2nd xv this week after recovering from the flu that kept him out last weekend.

In the back row, we see one change, with Ollie Cain not recovering from a bad back, so Josh Corcoran returns to captain the side at openside. Dan Belton and Torran MacDougall remain at blindside and number 8 after both having influential games last week.

Ben Creasey comes in for Michael Sargent at scrum half, after his red card. Ben's attitude in training has been really good and he has been working hard to get back in contention. Ben Lloyd continues at fly half and had an excellent game last week.

In the centres, we have gone for the power option of Richard Streets and Stuart Smart, with Aaron Lowe providing us some impact from the bench, and I am sure he will play a big contribution on Saturday. The wing spots remain the same, with Michael Allan and Jack Mitchell keeping their spots. Mitchell made a great contribution last week filling in at scrum half, especially in defence.

Lastly, Sean Taylor retuns at full back. Rory Seymour made a good impact last week coming off the bench and is unlucky to miss out, but we will surely see more of him in a 1st xv shirt this season.

That's it for this week! I hope to hear and see you on Saturday in full voice!! I know in the Sidcup game after they scored in the 2nd half the roar from the Hoe Lane crowd was immense and if I had any hairs on the back of my head they would have stood up! The lads will need that this Saturday and plenty more!!!

Cheers,

Baz

1st XV to play Guernsey

15. Sean Taylor
14. Michael Allan
13. Stuart Smart
12. Richard Streets
11. Jack Mitchell
10. Ben Lloyd
9. Ben Creasey
1. Louis Castiglione
2. Chris Joyce
3. Geoff Hughes
4. Jack Elston
5. James Kinsley
6. Dan Belton
7. Josh Corcoran
8. Torran MacDougall

16. Harry Morgan
17. James Keens
18. Aaron Lowe