Vikings assistant coach Dan Brown has answered an SOS call, just like his Guernsey Raiders counterpart Malcolm Barnes has done for the Raiders senior side, and will be part of the black-and-yellows squad from the replacements bench for the trip to Andover Seconds tomorrow.

Ray Smart’s side maintained their 100% start to the season last weekend against the Isle of Wight, and travel to mid-table Andover seeking to maintain their record.

The inclusion of forwards coach Brown will provide a boost of experience and strength, which is needed with several key players missing the trip.
He has not played competitively since moving to the island several years ago, but the towering 6ft 8” second-row is a vastly accomplished player having competed at a high level for much of his career. He will help offset the loss of Tom Creed, who is unavailable for the trip.

Andover are a side the Vikings have played previously, back when they were competing in the Hampshire Solent league. They were a big physical side back then, and no different is expected to face the Vikings tomorrow.

Although the Vikings have been playing well, the message coming out of the camp is that there is plenty to improve on. They had former Australia great David Campese at training with them this week, and he made several suggestions as to how they could take their game to the next level, and those words will be likely ringing in the ears of the players this Saturday.

Mitchell Smith returns to the side having missed the past few weeks with an ankle injury. He is a hugely dynamic weapon for Smart’s side and adds a strong carrying option, as well as boosting their lineout. Regular captain Matt Lomas is unavailable this weekend, so he will also captain the side.

James Mroch returns to the side, he starts at hooker with Corey Wallis and Michael Smith, who both featured last week, joining him in the front-row. Keiran Williamson also returns following a head injury, he slots into the second-row in place of Tom Creed.

Dale Rutledge will lead the backs from scrum-half with Lomas away. Gearoid Lee is back in at fly-half, having been missing since the second week of the season. The talented playmaker took some time out as he prepared for the Dublin marathon, but with that now successfully completed he comes back into the side.

Vikings top try scorer Taylor Quate has played predominantly at outside centre this season, but with the unavailability of Lomas and also Joe Le Roux, he is redeployed at fullback this week.

Lucas Barker is also back in the side at inside-centre, he is a big ball carrier for the Vikings and offers a physical presence in the mid-field. That will be vital if as predicted they come up against a big physical Andover side this week.

Oscar Bailey may have only just turned 18, but he is already proving himself to be a real talent, and it is no wonder that Jordan Reynolds is interested in him. He had a strong game last weekend in the centres, producing several big tackles and he also set up Taylor Quate for his try. He moves out one place this week to outside centre, to accommodate Barker.

Jean-Luc de Garis has not played at all this season, following shoulder surgery at the end of last season. He finally gets his chance on the wing this week.