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Team news for Eastleigh clash this Saturday.

Team news for Eastleigh clash this Saturday.

James Mroch20 Jan 2017 - 06:56
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https://www.stjacquesrfc.co.uk

St Jacques welcome the third placed team in the Hampshire Solent league this weekend to the KGV as they host Eastleigh Seconds on Saturday.

The two clubs have forged a great mutual respect for each other over the past few seasons, with the Black and yellows playing both their First and Second teams in different competitions.

After a tough season so for the the home side, they go into this clash desperate to pick up a win after a hatful of narrow losses this season. A vastly improved performance came in their last competitive clash against league Leaders Havant Dolphins, despite losing out late. This weekend the St Jacques faithful will be looking for their side to go one better and turn a good performance into a victory.

This clash has a little added spice to it, as both teams have familiar faces within them. Saints Scrum-half Tom Nixon is a former Eastleigh Firsts player, whilst Eastleigh Inside Centre Joe Smith used to live in Guernsey prior to moving to University in the UK, and was the Guernsey Colts captain. He has played alongside many of the home side.

The Saints coaches of Ray Smart and Martin Warner-Green will be pleased they have been able to assemble a good side for Saturdays match.

Ben Le Noury and Cally Murdoch continue in the front row, and they are joined by young Guernsey Raider Nico Ashplant, who makes up a dynamic front three. Jim Regnard makes a welcome return in the back row after he missed the Havant game, however both Hayden Dempsey and Brett McFarlane miss out this week. The former through a leg injury which looks likely to keep him out for a few weeks, whilst McFarlane's work commitments have meant he has missed training and is not considered this weekend. The former Guernsey Raiders Seconds captain Leon Gardner steps in and makes his debut this season for the side in the back-row.

Tom Nixon and Alec Bailey start in the half-back roles, and they will be joined by a new mid-field pairing. Chichester university fly-half Gearoid Lee will start at inside centre pairing up with the speedy Callum Gladstone at outside centre. Johan Greenberg drops down on to the bench and will add equal strength and power to the mid-field if he comes on. Taylor Quate starts in his regular fullback slot, however Saints are without three of their brightest prospects due to Guernsey Colts commitments on Sunday, with Fly-half Dan Rice, and centres Brad Webb and Leon Collenette absent this week. There is one brand new face in the side however as Guy Newsom makes his debut on the Wing. A recent arrival to the island he poses a threat out wide, particularly when joining up with Quate which will be exciting to see.

The home bench is also stacked with power and ability. None more so then versatile forward Bjorn Van Der Kammen who makes a welcome return to the side. The big man has been missing from league action of late, and will likely have a big contribution to make if he gets his chance.

Everything looks set for a very entertaining game at the KGV on Saturday. Kick off is 13.30.

Squad for Saturday

Ben Le Noury
Cally Murdoch
Nico Ashplant
Jacob Smith
Jon laws
Leon Gardner
Sam Crawford
Jim Regnard
Tom Nixon
Alec Bailey
Tom Wood
Gearoid Lee
Callum Gladstone
Guy Newsome
Taylor Quate

Jim Mroch
James Webber
Alan Myers
Ben Bradley
Bjorn Van Der Kammen
Chris Ahne
Johan Greenberg
Diogo De Freitas

Further reading