For Ray Smart’s charges, securing a victory against the league’s top side is essential if they are to have a slim chance of securing the Counties Two Hampshire title, but a win would also help move them a step closer to securing promotion as runner up if the leaders cannot be caught.

This game has long been dubbed as the biggest match of the season, and after the team from the Isle of Wight proved too strong for the Vikings back in December, the importance has only intensified.

Vikings produced a strong performance at home last weekend to see off Millbrook in testing conditions, with their defensive efforts particularly coming to the fore. That was a great marker for what they will need to replicate this weekend against a powerful opposition.

Head Coach Smart is looking forward to the game this weekend:

“This week is a big game, but it is just another game of rugby, so it is important we don’t get too carried away by the occasion. We need to do the simple things well and perform well, but we are excited for the challenge.”

“Sandown are a good side, but when we played them away I think it shocked some of the lads to come up against a side that was hungry to win games and to try and win the league, we probably had it a bit too easy before then. But that was a good wake-up call, and recently I think we’ve got back to playing the way we can, so I am looking forward to seeing if we can put that result right.” Added Smart

On looking ahead to how he wants to see the team play this weekend, Smart identified some key areas:

“We need to be defensively strong this week, Sandown have some good ball carriers, but if we can nullify that threat it will make their lives much harder. We also need to protect the ball in contact and aim to win the gain line battle, but we are well prepared to go and do this.”

Dan De Kock has been a huge addition to the Vikings squad, having played two matches and scored a hat-trick in both games. He will have a big role to play this weekend to disrupt the Sandown attack from the backrow.

The home side welcome back Joe Le Roux, Gearoid Lee and Chris Croft into the side after they missed last week’s match, but all else remains unchanged as they look to keep some consistency this week.

Le Roux and Lee return in the backs at centre and fullback, captain Matt Lomas will move to the wing this weekend, as does Will Forbes-Lee, who performed strongly last week.

The only change in the forwards sees Croft start back on the blindside flank, adding additional defensive surety and another solid turnover specialist, whilst also boosting the lineout options.

Jacob Smith scored last weekend from number 8, he retains his place in the side but partners with Tom Creed in the second row as Keiran Williamson moves to the replacement options.

Pierre de Garis and Tom Veillard once again pair up in the half-backs, whilst Will Creber starts at inside centre. His cousin Kieran Creber is amongst the replacements.

This contest is likely to be one of, if not, the biggest game in the history of the club. It is going to take a strong performance to overcome Sandown & Shanklin, but if the Vikings can achieve that, they will be in a strong place heading towards the end of the season.

The game kicks-off at 2pm on the club pitch at Footes Lane. There will be marquees pitchside to provide cover from the rain, as well as food & drink available.

Six Nations Super Saturday will also be on in the clubhouse with £3.90 pints all day.

Come down to Footes Lane for a bumper day of local & international rugby!