Championship Round 16 Preview
A look at the team news ahead of Round 16 of The Championship.
An enthralling and unpredictable Championship season continues on Saturday as we head into the final quarter of the campaign with Doncaster Knights, Cornish Pirates and Jersey Reds all keeping the pressure up on Ealing Trailfinders at the top of the table. Saturday sees just eight teams in action, following the postponement of London Scottish's clash against the league leaders due to positive COVID-19 cases in the hosts' camp. So, with all of the teams announced, here's a look at how the sides line up. [Photo credit: Dante K Photography]
14:00 | Jersey Reds v Richmond
Jersey Reds kick off the day's action against Richmond at The Stade Santander, and make three changes for the visit of the south west Londoners. Two personnel changes in the pack see Steven Longwell come in at tighthead and Alun Lawrence start in the back row, as Tim Grey switches flanks and Macauley Cook takes on captaincy duties with Lewis Wynne named among the replacements. The only change in the back line sees James Mitchell come in for James Elliott at scrum half.
Richmond, unbeaten in 2022, keep faith with their winning formula of late, and make just one change to the side that beat Bedford Blues at The RAG last weekend, as Mike Perks comes in for the unavailable James Hadfield at hooker.
14:30 | Doncaster Knights v Ampthill
Fresh from a BYE weekend, second-placed Doncaster Knights will be looking to back up an impressive win against Jersey in Round 14 and make four personnel changes for Ampthill's visit to Castle Park. Three changes in the pack see loanee Ben Carlile come in for Conor Davidson at loosehead, Josh Peters start ahead of Danny Drake in the second row, and Guido Volpi replace Sam Hudson at blindside. In the back line, Harry Davey comes in for Maliq Holden on the left wing, while Sam Olver and Billy McBryde switch jerseys.
Ampthill also faced the Reds last time out, and Paul Turner makes six changes to the side that lost 12-17 at Dillingham Park that day. Up front, hooker Jack Dickinson is flanked by a revamped prop pairing in Sam Crean and Aleki Lutui, and Josh Smart replaces Joe Bercis at openside. A new half-back pairing sees Kevin Barrett and new arrival Josh Bragman start at 9 and 10, with top scorer Russell Bennett moving to the bench. Josh Gillespie starts on the right wing as Joe Goodchild switches to the left, and Tom Hudson returns to partner Ben Cambriani in midfield following Bragman's positional change.
15:00 | Bedford Blues v Hartpury
Mike Rayer makes several changes to the starting XV that lined up against Richmond in Round 15. Karl Garside comes in for Corrie Barrett at tighthead, Robin Williams replaces Jordan Onojaife in the second row, and there are changes on both flanks as Tui Uru and Joe Atkinson come in at 6 and 7, respectively. In the backs, Louis Grimoldby is promoted from the bench and starts at fly half, Tom Litchfield comes in to partner Jamie Elliott in midfield, and Pat Tapley switches wings to accommodate the return of club stalwart Dean Adamson.
Hartpury are forced into a number of changes following a hard-fought draw against London Scottish last Friday. Alex Seville returns to the fold and starts at loosehead, and is joined in the front row by Ethan Hunt, who was named among the replacements last weekend. Dale Lemon returns to the starting line-up in the second row, and a completely revamped back row sees Aled Ward, Harry Short and Josh Gray line up at 6, 7, and 8. In the backs division, Hartpury marksman James Williams moves to fly half, following last week's touchline heroics that rescued a draw against The Exiles, as Jack Tovey starts in the centres, and Sam Smith replaces Deago Bailey on the left wing.
15:00 | Coventry v Cornish Pirates
Coventry will be looking to bounce back from a tough afternoon at the Trailfinders Sports Ground last weekend, but face another tough assignment in high-flying Cornish Pirates. Rowland Winter makes just two changes to the side that started last weekend - both in the pack - as Matt Johnson replaces the injured Phil Boulton at tighthead, and Adam Peters comes in for Fred Betteridge at blindside.
Cornish Pirates returned from a six-week absence in style last weekend with a bonus-point win against Nottingham and make three changes for the trip to Butts Park Arena. The only alteration in the pack sees Matt Bolwell come in at blindside, as Josh Caulfield moves into the second row for Lewis Pearson. Two changes in the back line see Arwel Robson come in at fly half for Henry Bazalgette, and Callum Patterson replace Rory Parata at outside centre.