Match Preview

St Jacques Vikings welcome Newick to the KGV this Saturday, as they go in search of their third consecutive victory.

The black and yellows have had a fairly good start to the season, winning three and losing once so far. However Newick look likely to be the strongest team they have faced this season, with a reportedly very strong forward pack and big centres for the Vikings to contend with.

The visitors go into the game in third whilst Vikings are forth, but have a game in hand over all those above them. Victory for the home side could see them climb to second in table, depending on other results.

Once again there are several changes to the Vikings side, and most notably it is two of their most impressive players of late who will miss out.

Flanker Brett McFarlane broke his hand early on against Midhurst, and is likely to be out for around 4 weeks. His direct running and solid defence has been key the Vikings recently, and he is going to be a big loss for the next few weeks

Equally another big loss is one which is going to keep him out for a lot longer than 4 weeks. Jonathan Laws has now had an MRI scan in London following the knee injury he picked up, also against Midhurst. The number 8 has severe knee ligament damage and is going to require extensive surgery to repair his knee. He looks set to at least be out for at least the rest of this season, if not longer.

The Vikings coaches have some selection headaches this week as they have been forced to trim their squad to 18 players. League rules state both teams must agree the number of substitutes, and Newick are restricted to only three substitutes for this away game, and therefore now are Vikings for this game.

Coming in this weekend though is the young impressive pair of back row forwards, John Le Noury & Tom Rihoy. Both have shown themselves to be excellent players this season, with Rihoy picking up two consecutive man of the match awards. Whilst the loss of Laws & McFarlane will be felt, it provides a great opportunity for these talented and up and coming young forwards.

Bjorn Van Der Kammen is off Island this weekend and therefore is unable to fill the 8 slot, as a result captain Leon Gardner will start at the back of the pack. He will also take over responsibility for calling the lineout in Laws’s absence.

Callum Murdoch is off Island this weekend and he is replaced by Hugh Birley and with Gardner taking his place at no 8, James Mroch is reinstated to the hooker position.

Jacob Smith, the younger of the Smith brothers, or the brothers of construction as they are known amongst their teammates is also unavailable this weekend. The strong second row has been in fine form for the Vikings this season, and will be another loss. However the versatile Brad Webb comes into to replace him.

Regular scrum half Ben Holland also misses out after suffering concussion picked up in the Guernsey Colts recent win over Jersey Colts at Footes Lane. Taylor Quate therefore continues in the halfback role, with Alec Bailey starting at fly-half. The veteran back rolled back the years against Midhurst recently with an excellent performance, and will hope for similar against Newick.

Callum Gladstone, Johan Greenberg and Connor Sullivan continue in the centres and at fullback respectively whilst Leon Collenette returns after missing the Midhurst game with Guernsey Colts commitments, this week playing on the right wing.

On the bench this weekend, Luke Rigby will look to make his Vikings debut. After training for many weeks now the novice will get his shot. He looks to have great potential and we are excited to see how it goes!

The match at the KGV kicks off at 13.30 on Saturday.

1. Hugh Birley
2. James Mroch
3. Alan Myers
4. Mitchell Smith
5. Brad Webb
6. John Le Noury
7. Tom Rihoy
8. Leon Gardner (Capt)
9. Taylor Quate
10. Alec Bailey
11. Cashel Cahill
12. Callum Gladstone
13. Johan Greenberg
14. Leon Collenette
15. Connor Sullivan

16. Nico Ashplant
17. Luke Rigby
18. Billy Wickham