St Jacques Vikings are back in action at Footes Lane on Saturday afternoon against Overton, fresh from their morale boosting away victory over Havant Third’s last weekend.

The black-and-yellows now have a nine-point lead at the top of Counties Three Hampshire, and they are keen to ensure they maintain that gap by producing another strong performance at home this weekend .

On a busy day down at Footes Lane, that will also see a Vikings 2nd XV and the Guernsey Raiders Ladies in action, Ray Smart has opted for an experienced familiar side for his Vikings 1st XV to close the bumper show of local rugby.

Overton have had a mixed bag of results so far this season, having won three of their five matches and sit in sixth place. All of their matches have been fairly close competitive affairs thus far, and whilst the Vikings are flying high at the top of the table they will be by no means underestimating their opposition this week.

Phil Le Noury was pulled out in the warm-up against Winchester recently with a leg injury, but he returns to the Vikings side tomorrow at hooker. That means James Mroch shifts back to prop where he has played majority of this season, and Tom Bray will anchor the other side. James Beck is ruled out through injury, which he sustained last week.

Hugo Culverhouse made a promising return to action last week against Havant, having been out for most of the season through injury. He has been recalled to the Raiders side, but another big ball carrier in Jacob Smith is ready to replace him. He partners Tom Creed in the second-row, whilst his brother Mitchell is in his familiar blindside flanker role.

Barney Paul has been a revelation in the Vikings back-row this season, and he gets another opportunity to impress in the no. 8 shirt on Saturday. Having only missed one game this season, impressively for a forward he has scored in every game he has played.

Chris Croft is also back in the Vikings back-row, having been forced to sit out last week. He completes what will be a dynamic and mobile loose forward unit for the home side.

With Dale Rutledge at scrum-half, Matt Lomas re-joins him as his halfback partner in the no. 10 jersey. The Vikings skipper has steered their ship well this season, and will be seeking to keep them in the right areas on the pitch and on the front foot.

In the centres Lucas Barker returns to the starting XV, having produced a dominant showing off the bench last weekend against Havant, he gets the opportunity to assert himself in the mid-field this week. Taylor Quate partners with him, having played on the wing last weekend.

Joe Le Roux is also back in the team to face Overton, having been rested last weekend. He starts at fullback this week, with Kieran Creber and Rory Jones for company on the wings.

Vikings 2nd XV Preview vs Guernsey Vets

Before the Vikings 1st XV & the Ladies take to the field, another St Jacques side will get the action underway at Footes Lane.

For the first time in the ‘Vikings’ era, the club is able to field another full side for a game on the same day as a league match. This is a true show of the growing strength of the club, and is a testament to the work of the coaching team for providing an environment where so many players want to be involved.

This clash with what is likely to be a very strong Vets side, sees many players feature who played in league matches this season, but has a youthful feel to it.

Finn O’riley is involved for the first time this season in the front-row, whilst two of the Vikings most promising young forwards Keiran Williamson and Jack Webber are included. For Webber, he will be packing down against his dad, James, who was a stalwart for St Jacques over many years.

John Welbourne had a great game for the Vikings against Havant last week, and he will play at fly-half against the Vets.

Tom Yarwood is also back in the action in the back-row, having been unavailable in the early part of the season. He will also be on the bench for the main game Vs Overton.

Cashel Cahill will bring some experience to the 2’s backline, whilst Jonny Groves comes in for his first game of the season. He has not been available this season, but he takes his place on the wing.

Vikings 2’s team:
Wallis, O’Riley, MH Smith, Williamson, Ritchie-Bandy, Webber, Donaldson, Yarwood, Veillard, Welbourne, Groves, Cahill, Forbes-Lee, Ferry, Spinney

The Vikings 1st XV kicks-off at 2pm on the Garenne Stand pitch at Footes Lane, with Guernsey Ladies earlier at 12pm. The first game of the day kicks-off on the club pitch at 10.45am, with the Vikings 2nd XV facing the Guernsey Veterans.

It’s free entry to all games, the Footes Lane bar is open and our Vikings burgers are on sale.

We hope you can support us tomorrow!