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Team news ahead of Havant clash

Team news ahead of Havant clash

James Mroch16 Dec 2016 - 10:16
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St Jacques face Havant Dolphins in their final fixture of 2016 this Saturday at the KGV.

The black and yellows are yet to register a league win at this season so far, and come off the back of a narrow 2 point loss to Tottonians Seconds in November at the KGV. Havant however are flying having played 9 games and won 9, and look the clear favourites to walk away with the Solent League 1 trophy this season.

Saturday's fixture is clearly going to be a big test for St Jacques, however at home they are always a tough side to beat, and will take confidence that although the results have not been going their way, their performances have been improving with every fixture.

Coaches Steve Melbourne & Ray Smart will be pleased that Christmas has come early for them, as a large majority of their UK based University players have returned for the festive season and are available for selection after training this week, boosting the squad. However perhaps the biggest boost of them all is the reintroduction of seasoned fly-half Alec Bailey. The former Siam Cup player, and brother of former Guernsey Raiders skipper Andy will help steady the ship this weekend, and after 18 months out injured is a welcomed surprise for the St Jacques faithful.

Missing out this week however is scrum half Tom Nixon who is off island, whilst the big ball carrying trio of Jim Regnard, Dickon Addis and Bjorn Van Der Kammen are unavailable. Regular centre Johan Greenberg is also unavailable as he is off island in his native South Africa. UK based Pierre De Garis steps in at scrum half in Nixon's absence, and looks to have improved considerably over the past few months. A lively halfback, he will aim to give Bailey consistent ball whilst he also poses a constant threat to the opposition defence around the edge of the breakdown.

Brett Mcfarlane moves from the blindside flank to number 8 in the absence of one of the regulars, and he will captain the side. St Jacques will be relying on his big, strong ball carrying to help get them over the gainline, along with the likes prop Ben Le Noury and big lock Ben Bradley.

The fast improving Sam Crawford will start at openside flanker. A former centre Crawford has moved seamlessly into the back row, and appears to have found his calling. A strong and quick man he is defensively sound and is a constant nuisance to opposition defences at the breakdown, whilst also offering a good line-out jumping option.

Callum Gladstone returns for his first competitive start for 10 months at inside centre after a long nasty lay off due to concussion he picked up in the Inter Insular, and he will be joined by the electric Leon Collenette at Outside centre. Whilst Taylor Quate, Owen Poynder and Tom Wood make up the back three.

On the bench James Mroch, Jon Laws and Brad Webb provide the forwards cover, whilst the backs replacements oozes talent and excitement with Dan Rice, Tom Chammings, Gearoid Lee, Ben Challinor and Billy Wickham.

Steve Melbourne and Ray Smart will be expecting a big performance from their young side if they are to cause an upset and secure the victory this weekend.

Kick off is 1.30 at the KGV.

Squad
Ben Le Noury
Cally Murdoch
Trevor Marquis
Ben Bradley
Jacob Smith
Jake Cornes
Sam Crawford
Brett McFarlane
Pierre De Garis
Alec Bailey
Owen Poynder
Callum Gladstone
Leon Collenette
Tom Wood
Taylor Quate

Jimmy Mroch
Brad Webb
Jon Laws
Tom Chammings
Gearoid Lee
Billy Wickham
Dan Rice
Ben Challinor

Further reading