The first visitors to Guernsey this season are Richmond Normans, the 4th XV of the club that boasts seven senior sides and who’s first team compete the RFU Championship.

The visitors from south west London were formed in 1861 making them one of the oldest established rugby clubs in England and the world over. Whilst they are a club steeped in history, they are also one of the strongest community clubs in the country and this is expected to be a competitive match first up the Vikings.

Pleasingly Ray Smart has advised he has a near full squad to select from, although he is waiting on fitness tests on a couple of players.

Definitely out for this game is hooker Callum Murdoch, who last weekend stepped up for Guernsey Raiders in their 17-27 victory over Barnstaple in National Two South. He has picked up a foot injury but it not expected to miss too many games.

Smart is waiting on the fitness of influential centre Taylor Quate, who picked up an injury in training a few weeks ago. The speedster has been a key player for the Vikings in recent seasons and actually scored against Richmond in our only ever previous game pre the
Covid-19 pandemic, and it is hoped he might be ready to play some part on Saturday.

Callum Gladstone looks like he might have made a miraculous recovery from his nasty looking injury two weeks ago, and he too will have a late fitness test alongside talismanic flanker Mitchell Smith.

Dale Rutledge and Gearoid Lee will most likely resume their half-back partnership, with captain Matt Lomas at fullback.

We are waiting as to whether second-row Tom Creed is required by the Raiders this weekend, if not he is likely to slot into the Vikings engine room.

Kieran Creber is again fit after missing much of pre-season through injury, whilst Joe Le Roux is now also over his minor injury and in line to return.

Further team news will follow later in the week, but we are excited to be back playing at home again, we hope you can join us and the Raiders for a bumper day of rugby at Footes Lane!

Vikings vs Richmond Norman’s | 12pm
Raiders vs Leicester Lions | 3pm