St Jacques Vikings host Sutton & Epsom Seconds at the KGV on Saturday afternoon, as they look to build on their good result against London Irish Wild Geese last week, where they won 29-25.

Ray Smart, the Vikings head coach, was a happy man after that result, and felt it was one of the first times this season they have produced a near 80 minute performance. He is hoping for a similar but further improved performance this weekend, against the side who are one place below them in the league table.

“Last week was a really good performance and when we look at how far we’ve come, not just over the past three years, but particularly since the start of this season the development of the squad has been huge. But we have to focus on the now, and this weeks match presents another opportunity for the players to bring a little bit more to their game and I hope we’ll see that out on the park.” He said.

Smart further added: “Our big focus at this stage is on moving forwards and developing, we’ve reviewed the footage from last week and we know there are some areas where we could have been better, in both attack and defence. Our goal this week will be to produce another strong 80 minute performance and to work on certain areas we have identified.”

Sutton & Epsom have had a mixed season so far, similar to that of the Vikings and the previous game between these sides back in October was a real crowd pleaser. The Vikings found themselves 12-0 behind at half-time but went on to score five tries in the second half to win 26-34, they will be hoping for no such slow start this time around.

Smart has made two changes to the side that started last week, with Cashel Cahill coming in for Kieran Creber on the wing and Alex Lock replacing back-row Tom Rihoy imwho has returned to university.

The biggest notable change however is that 18 year-old Reece de Jersey, who produced a fine debut performance last week is handed a first start in the fly-half jersey, with Matt Lomas switching to fullback.

James Regnard & Luke Skovronek both came off the bench last week to have big impacts in the game. They are once again amongst the replacements and Smart will be expecting both of them to play a big part in the match this week.

Number 8 Jacob Smith was immense last week producing a significant number of positive carries, whilst lock Tom Creed produced one of his best performances for the Vikings.

In the backs, Phil Le Noury and Leon Collenette paired up superbly in the centres, whilst Taylor Quate at scrum-half was the beating heart of the Vikings side. They all remain and have big roles to fulfil this week.

Cam Le Prevost, who was not involved last week is back on the bench, as is young scrum-half Tom Stables who will get his first shot for a while this Saturday.

Tor Ritchie-Bandy is another player who has not been seen much this season, and is on the bench. He has previously proven himself to be a very capable player, and he will want to show what he can do at this level on Saturday.

Darrin Bellingham
Leon Gardner (capt)
Tom Bray
Tom Creed
Dave Harvey
Mitch Smith
Alexander Lock
Jacob Smith
Taylor Quate
Reece De Jersey
Gearoid Lee
Phil Le Noury
Leon Collenette
Cashel Cahill
Matthew Lomas

Michael Smith
Luke Skovronek
Tor Ritchie-Bandy
James Regnard
Alec Bailey
Tom Stables
Cameron Le Prevost