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Coach rings changes ahead of Portsmouth clash tomorrow

Coach rings changes ahead of Portsmouth clash tomorrow

James Mroch24 Feb 2017 - 12:15
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Portsmouth Seconds are the visitors to the KGV this Saturday, as St Jacques look to build on their victory over Andover two weeks ago.

With only two weeks until the Inter-Insular against Jersey at Footes Lane, this fixture will be the last competitive opportunity for the players put their hand up for selection. And with the Inter-Insular trophy to defend against the ‘auld foe’ in two weeks’ time this has added a little extra to this clash at the KGV.

St Jacques have not had the best time on the pitch in terms of results this season, however they have produced many good performances but fell narrowly short of the victory. None more so than away at Portsmouth earlier this season, when they lead for 70 minutes, before throwing it all away in the last 10 minutes and allowing the hosts to steal victory. Therefore this weekend they will no doubt have a point to prove, and will be keen to overturn that result with a victory on home soil.

With Ray Smart on holiday this week, Steve Melbourne will join up with Martin Warner-Green as coaches of the side, and have named a changed side from the one which faced Andover last time out.

Front-rowers Ben le Noury & Nico Ashplant are both unavailable this weekend, and therefore they have been forced into changes up front. Guernsey Raider Luke Skovronek is available this weekend as the National 3 side have a week off, and steps in to the loose-head side in replacement of Le Noury to obtain some game time, whilst Trevor Marquis returns to the side and will start at tighthead for Ashplant.

The second row partnership of young James Parr and Jacob Smith continues, with Leon Gardner coming into the side in the back-row. He is to be joined by Sam Crawford and Jonathan Laws, with the latter very much impressing against Andover. Jim Regnard misses out this week with a hamstring strain, and will be a loss with his regular big carries getting the black and yellows over the advantage line.

Saints also have several regular backs unavailable for this match, including halfback Tom Nixon. He is not available for selection this week, and is to be replaced by Ben Holland. The young colt impressed on his St Jacques debut against Andover, with a second half showing at scrum half. The evergreen Alec Bailey will partner him at fly-half. Centre Callum Gladstone, who’s recent performances in a Saints shirt have earned him a call up to the Guernsey Raiders is also unavailable this weekend as he is off island, and therefore Johan Greenberg will assume his position. He will be paired with the impressive young Colt, Leon Collenette outside him who as the season has progressed has continued to get better. Tom Wood continues at fullback in the absence of the injured Taylor Quate who is still nursing a hamstring tear, but Quate does have a slim chance of being available for the Inter-Insular. Another Guernsey Colt is set to make his debut start this weekend, as Brad Webb is due to line up on the wing, and he will be joined by Diogo De Freitas.

Kick off at the KGV is 13.00 this Saturday and we hope you will be there to cheer us on. The Scotland vs Wales match will be on in the bar after the game, so why not join us for a day of rugby.

L Skovronek, C Murdoch, T Marquis J Smith, J Parr, L Gardner, S Crawford, J Laws, B Holland, A Bailey, D De Freitas, J Greenberg, L Collenette, B Webb, T Wood

Replacements: J Mroch, J Webber, A Myers, B Bradley, J Le Noury, A Penney

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