Match Preview

St Jacques Vikings are back on the road tomorrow with a tough trip to United Services Portsmouth.

Ray Smart's side are back in action after an enforced week off last week, after flight issues meant their scheduled home clash with Millbrook was postponed. They travel to a US Portsmouth side that has won their last three matches and who sit one place below them in fourth, albeit the English side has played two further matches than the Sarnians.

When the two sides faced off at Footes Lane in November the Vikings prevailed 24-14, that was an entertaining encounter in which both sides played some excellent rugby, and the visitors showed they were a good side. Smart's team have taken that into account ahead of this week's clash, as forward Barney Paul explained:

"From our perspective, they are one of the best teams in the backs we have played this season. They had a number of set moves that they executed well and had some speedy wingers.”

“This week I think we need to make sure we are defensively strong, and I think we need to try and exploit them up front and create space for our own backs to try and run them ragged."

"Training this week has gone very well though, and if we can carry that through to Saturday I think we can definitely get the opportunity to secure another victory." he added.

The Vikings are without several regular players as Raiders call-ups, injuries and unavailability have forced changes, but they have been able to recall several other recent absentees and still name a strong side.

Jack Webber and Tom Rihoy both return in the back row, whilst JP Phelan has been made available from the Guernsey Raiders in the front row again this week.

Angus MacCallum has hugely impressed since moving to the island, the big second row will have an important job to bring added physicality this week, with both Tom Creed and Jacob Smith unavailable. He starts in the second row with Keiran Williamson.

Captain Matt Lomas plays at fly-half this week, whilst Will Creber and Ed Dueden make up the centres.

In the wide channels, Kieran Creber starts, along with Courtney Sargent, who will finally get to make his debut this weekend, after last week's postponement. Will Forbes-Lee has also shaken off some injury issues to return to the side for the first time since these two sides met last. He was man of the match on the last occasion, and his return is timely.

Amongst the replacements powerhouse player-coach Dan Brown returns, as does Chris Croft who has been sidelined through illness recently.

The match kicks off at 1pm on the English south coast, you can follow the game live on our Instagram and Facebook stories.