The Vikings head on the road for the penultimate time this season on Saturday, as we prepare to face The Shield Division Two leaders, Richmond Normans.

The Vikings have had several weeks off, after their last scheduled fixture against Henley was postponed due to the travel disruption caused by Storm Eunice.

Whilst no extreme weather is scheduled for this weekend, they will no doubt be heading into a motivated and fast moving wall of yellow, black and red as the hosts have been the team to beat this season. Richmond go into this weekends match needing just one point to secure the league title.

The Normans were the first visitors to Footes Lane this season, and on that occasion they ran out worthy winners 17-3, in what was a competitive game between the two sides. Since then they have gone on to win nine out of their ten matches, having only lost to Bournemouth this season, who the Vikings impressively drew with at Footes Lane recently.

For Ray Smart and his Vikings side, this has been a season which has been frustrating with various fixtures changes and postponements, and inconsistent performances out on the pitch. However for all that, the Vikings have steadily been improving as they have gone through a subtle changing of the ‘old guard’, as many of their more senior players have taken a backward seat this season, which has paved the way for some younger players to come through.

The Vikings performance against Bournemouth at home recently was hugely encouraging, and although we were denied the victory by a wayward conversion that day they showed they can compete with the very best sides in the league. They will need to bring a similar standard of performance this weekend if they are to have any chance against Richmond.

Some of the younger players who have stepped up this season are fast becoming important players for the black-and-yellows. A strong example of this is Chris Croft, the back-rower was a stand out performer against Bournemouth, but also against Maidenhead recently when the Vikings travelled with around 30 players unavailable, but performed admirably before ultimately coming unstuck with just thirteen players on the pitch in the second half. He will have a big part to play this weekend and he is will pack down in the second row unusually this week.

The Vikings have been boosted by the return of Dale Rutledge at scrum-half. The Kiwi has recently been playing for Guernsey Raiders, but is now unable to be selected due to the strict international player criteria in National Two. He will form a half-back partnership with Tom Veillard, who starts ay fly-half.

Callum Gladstone and Dave Davison are both back in the side, and they form the centre partnership. Matt Lomas will once again skipper the side from fullback. Guernsey Colt Alex Simpson will be given his first start on the wing, the youngster has been a part of the Vikings setup for a while now and finally gets his opportunity to go from the off this week.

Tom Creed returns in the forwards to start in the second row, but Tom Bray and Michael Smith are needed by the Raiders to provide front-row cover. James Mroch starts up front with fast developing Academy Colt Finn O’reilly and Corey Wallis.

James Regnard is back having recovered from a calf injury picked up against Bournemouth. The veteran backrower is still an important force amongst the Vikings, and will look to use his vital experience from the bench. One further Guernsey Colt is also in the squad amongst the replacements. John Welbourne is a talented back who will be in line to make his debut this weekend.

The Vikings know this will be a stern test this weekend, however if we can continue to show our improved defensive resolve and energetic and smart attacking shape it should be a competitive game and who knows what can happen then!

Kick-off is 12pm at the Richmond Athletic Ground if you wish to support the team in west London on Saturday!