It’s been 11 months since the Vikings last faced opposition from different shores, and 18 months since our last competitive game. But Ray Smart’s side return to action in a pre-season clash against old rivals Eastleigh tomorrow.

The black-and-yellows make the trip to just outside Southampton for the game, in what is our first but potentially toughest pre-season fixture, as we build towards Raging Bull Shield action again from October.

The two clubs have played each other many times of the years, most recently four years ago when the Vikings were still in the Hampshire Solent league. Eastleigh are in London Two South West, which is level seven in the RFU league pyramid, which is slightly higher than where the Vikings currently compete, and this should prove to be a great test for the Guernsey side.

For Ray Smart, he is just excited to see his team back out on the pitch and is looking forward to seeing where they are at. He said:

“It has been a long pre-season for us, and obviously it’s been a long time since we have faced any UK sides. The boys are very excited to get back to it, they have worked hard in the buildup, and although we certainly expect some rustiness, I am hoping we can start the season off well. We’ve not put too much pressure on this game, our big focus is to enjoy it and to build on the work we have done so far.”

Matt Lomas will lead out the Vikings for the first time officially as captain, the fullback has been a mainstay in the side since his arrival to the island, and will be hoping that he and his teammates can produce a good performance and build on their good pre-season work.

Cally Murdoch returns to the Vikings for the first time in a few years, the hooker had faced some torrid injuries over the last few competitive seasons, but the covid enforced break has given him time to get body back into shape.

Phil Le Noury, who before the Covid-19 pandemic was primarily a centre, packs down on the blindside flank on Saturday. He has completed a move to the forwards where it is hoped he can best deploy his explosive power game. He could well be a big player for the Vikings this season.

Dale Rutledge and Gearoid Lee form a new partnership in the half-backs with the former unlucky to not be in the Raiders side this weekend.

There is a familiar feel to much of the Vikings side, with key players such as Jacob & Mitchell Smith, Lucas Barker and Callum Gladstone all available and poised to start from the off.

On the bench there is a new face, recently graduated Academy Colt Luke Jehan is in line to make his debut for the Vikings. He is also joined by John Le Noury, brother of Phil, who has returned to the island having been at university in the UK for the past three years.

For the Vikings this will be a stern test of where they are at in terms of their preparation, before they kick-off their league campaign against Richmond Normans at Footes Lane in October.