This has been far from the best season for St Jacques, both on and off the pitch the club have struggled this season, and after two successful seasons previously, including remaining unbeaten last season, the club is undergoing a real test of its strength just to survive its recent struggles. With several games in December and January postponed St Jacques looked almost down and out of the Hampshire Solent League.

As head coach Jon Bell explains, this is a big relief for himself and his squad.

“This season has been really tough, it’s been no secret we have struggled financially after an unexpected rise in our travel costs. However we have thankfully managed to obtain a reduction in the travel costs for the remainder of the season, and the club is working exceptionally hard to raise the funds required to complete as many or all of the remaining and postponed games throughout the rest of the season.”

“As a club we have really pulled together, we had an open meeting and asked ourselves do we still want to compete at this level, and continue to challenge ourselves, or would we rather just give up? The answer was clear, everyone wants to be playing in a UK league, and they know in order to do that we all have to do more for the club, including raising more funds for the club. Since then everyone has got behind the club and is working to ensure that is exactly what happens.”

“It is really nice to be able to get a game on though for the players, our supporters and our generous sponsors, as a reward for the hard work of everyone recently. Its not going to be an easy game against Portsmouth, but we are looking forward to it. We are a very proud club and we want to get back to our best, and that starts on Saturday!”

St Jacques faced Portsmouth away earlier in the season, and were comprehensively beaten on that day 40-13. With that in mind the black and yellows will want to overturn that result with a win at the KGV. With the struggles this season, there is bound to be a lot of frustration amongst the players, but hopefully they can channel that frustration into a good performance and an important victory.

Jon Bell's has named his squad for Saturday, and it looks fairly strong according to the coach.

“I am quite excited about what the lads picked can bring if they get the performance right. It is certainly an attacking team” said Bell.

Up front in the forwards veteran Trevor Marquis will be the cornerstone of the pack at tighthead prop, and he is joined by the extremely powerful Ben Le Noury at loosehead. Le Noury has quickly become one of the key members of the St Jacques side, and whether his strong attacking influence along with solid scrummaging ability is unleashed on Satruday will go a long way to deciding if St Jacques secure victory.

Bjorn Van Kammen will pack down in the second row with Jake Cornes, whilst captain Brett McFarlane will return to openside flanker. The vastly improved Hayden Dempsey gets the nod on the blindside flank, with veteran Kev Davies slotting in at No 8.

Dave Haimes is at fly-half, and the skilful halfback will be tasked with trying to ignite a stong and pacey attacking backline. Johan Greenberg and Sam Crawford form up as the midfield pairings, whilst the back three is that of the electrically quick Kiwi Callum Hayes and Robbie Titterington on the wings, with the excellent Matt Horton at fullback.

Bell could also give a debut off the substitutes bench to Guernsey touch player Dominic Page. Page is a novice when it comes to rugby union, but has been training for a few weeks and shows great promise, with exceptionally quick feet and the pace to match. His defensive skills also appear very natural, so it could be interesting to watch if he gets his chance.

Bell said that he hopes for a good crowd this weekend, to cheer on his side. “After a tough season it would be amazing to have a big crowd down the KGV to cheer on the lads. There is nothing better then a packed KGV balcony and noisy sideline. We react really well to the support. We would love if you would join us on Saturday, its an important day for our club as we look to rebuild. Even if you have never been to watch us before, we love having new supporters involved with the club and I would urge you to come down.”

1. B Le Noury
2. M Goodwin
3. T Marquis
4. J Cornes
5. B Van Der Kammen
6. H Dempsey
7. B McFarlane (C)
8. K Davies
9. J Kewell
10. D Haimes
11. R Titterington
12. J Greenberg
13. S Crawford
14. K Hayes
15. M Horton

16. J Mroch
17. T Chamberlain
18. L Cramphorn
19. A Penney
20. T Veillard
21. A de Carteret
22. D Page

Kick off is 1pm at the KGV