After a spirited display against Havant Dolphins last weekend, the Vikings are preparing for their next challenge against fourth-placed Basingstoke on Saturday.

In the previous meeting at Footes Lane, Basingstoke took the spoils, with St Jacques having a disastrous final 20-minute spell where poor decision-making cost them dearly.

The Vikings’ performance against Havant offered several positives. Despite missing many key players, the side showed great determination and their attack functioned well against the runaway league leaders. Securing a bonus point was just reward for their effort.

At the same time, the game highlighted the need for improved defensive organisation and set-piece execution. Several chances were spurned in the Havant 22, and they were able to exploit the Vikings out wide all too often.

This week, the Vikings are focused on improving their wide defence, they have worked hard in training, and head coach Layton Batiste hopes to see improvement.

‘We performed well in parts last week against Havant. Our attack was good and we stuck to our shape well.’ He said.

‘The biggest issue was around our defensive organisation, we actually defended quite well in the tight, but we gave them way too much space out wide. We have worked on that this week and the boys have bought in well to that, so hopefully we can show it this weekend.’ Added Batiste

They’re are once again several changes to the side this weekend, with injuries and unavailability affecting selection.

In the forwards Phil Le Noury, Barnaby Paul and James Mroch come into the side. Le Noury was with Guernsey Raiders last weekend, but he returns back to the Vikings for the trip at hooker. Mroch and Paul slot into the front row and back row respectively.

Mitchell Smith is fast approaching his 100th game for the club, and since his return from injury he has been in excellent form. He continues in the second row alongside Keiran Williamson.

With Chris Croft away on holiday, Jacob Smith continues at no-8, joining Tom Yarwood in the back-row. He was excellent last week.

In the backs, Ewan Wakeham is on holiday this week, so Matt Lomas-Lloyd steps into the halfback role. Captain Tom Veillard continues at flyhalf.

Callum Gladstone made his long awaited return from injury last weekend. He gets to start this week in the centres, after producing a good cameo appearance from the bench. Cam Le Prevost joins him in the midfield.

Sam Ferry is also back in the side on the wing, whilst Calum Spinney keeps his place alongside Kieran Creber.

Double try-scorer last week Jack Webber is named on the bench this weekend. He offers real firepower alongside Dan Brown and Ivan Donaldson.

Kick off is 2pm in Basingstoke. You can follow live coverage of the game on our social media pages.