Championship Round 18 Preview
Team news ahead of Round 18 of The Championship.
The Championship heats up this weekend as the tightest title race in over a decade unfolds with just six weeks to go until the final day. Ampthill and Richmond kick off the weekend's action, followed by league leaders Doncaster Knights' trip to Hartpury. Ealing Trailfinders will be looking to bounce back from their shock defeat to Bedford as they travel to Jersey, while Bedford Blues go on the hunt for another prized win as Cornish Pirates sail into town, and London Scottish and Nottingham battle it out at The RAG. Here's a look at how the teams line up. [Photo credit: Claire Jones, @redhatphoto]
14:00 Ampthill vs Richmond
Ampthill welcome Richmond to Dillingham Park after almost three weeks without a game, their last being a close loss to Doncaster Knights. Head coach Paul Turner makes five changes to the starting XV that played Doncaster. In the front row, Harry Seward replaces Aleki Lutui. Openside flanker Joe Bercis rotates with Josh Smart in the back row. In the backs, there is a change at scrum-half with Ewan Fenley replacing Kevin Barrett. Winger Josh Skelcey comes in as Josh Gillespie drops to the bench, with Joe Goodchild shifting to the opposite wing. Having recovered from a pre-season injury, Will Partington makes his Championship debut at fullback in place of Joe-Luca Smith.
Richmond narrowly missed out on a big win over now league leaders Doncaster Knights due to a last minute try, and will hope to capitalise on the fact Ampthill have had three weeks out and secure a win this week. In the pack, Mike Perks replaces the injured James Hadfield at hooker, and the experienced Mark Bright returns to captain the side at No 8, moving Huw Worthington to blindside flanker. In the backline, fullback Will Kaye will miss the trip to Ampthill due to an ankle injury, so the versatile James Kane moves to fullback as Lennox Anyanwu starts at 13.
14:30 Doncaster Knights vs Hartpury
Hartpury have performed well recently despite two successive losses, but are forced into a number of changes for their trip to league leaders Doncaster Knights. In the front row, Lewis Holsey replaces Conor Maguire who needs to serve a week out in relation to concussion protocols. The only other change in the forward pack is Xavier Hastings getting a chance in the backrow, replacing Harry Short. In the backs, Oscar Lennon gets his first start of the campaign as regular scrum-half Toby Venner joins Bristol Bears on loan for the remainder of the season. A switch in the centres sees Jack Tovey at 12 in place of Robbie Smith, and Charlie Foley moves from inside to outside centre. Sam Smith and Ben Foley remain, but switch wings this week in a tactical decision. Lastly, Tommy Mathews takes the 15 shirt over George Simpson.
Doncaster Knights returned to the top of the table after last week’s late win over Richmond, and will be eager to consolidate their lead this weekend against Hartpury. Doncaster’s six changes start with one George swapping for another as Edgson comes on for Roberts at hooker. A brand-new second row of John Kelly and Jack Davies starts in place of Ben Murphy and Josh Peters. Elsewhere, Joe Green starts at scrum-half in place of Alex Dolly. Mark Best and Joe Margetts partner up in the centres, replacing Fraser Strachan and Conor Edwards.
15:00 Bedford Blues vs Cornish Pirates
Bedford Blues shocked the league last weekend when they upset Ealing Trailfinders, and Mike Rayer will hope his side can repeat such a feat as Pirates sail into town. There are seven changes to last weekend's starting XV. A completely new front row takes to the pitch once again, as Joey Conway, Jack Hughes, and Osman Dimen replace Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Jack Hughes, and Corrie Barrett. Luke Frost replaces Robin Williams in the second row, and Tui Uru returns to the starting XV at eight as Oli Stedman drops to the bench. Alex Day takes the nine shirt instead of Conor Tupai this week, and Reuben Bird-Tulloch starts at outside centre instead of Jamie Elliot.
Cornish Pirates head to Goldington Road after a decisive victory over London Scottish, which saw the Westcountry outfit kept a clean sheet. There is little deviation from the starting side against Scottish, with just two changes. Prop Marlen Walker replaces Jack Andrew in the front row, and the Pirates will no doubt be buoyed by the return of captain Nico De Battista at inside centre.
15:00 Jersey Reds vs Ealing Trailfinders
Ealing now find themselves 3rd in The Championship table after the upset against Bedford Blues last weekend, but a win over 2nd placed Jersey Reds could help put the West Londoners back on track towards the title. There are wholesale changes, beginning with props Will Davis and Lewis Thiede starting over Dylan Smith and George Davis. It’s a completely new second row as Bobby De Wee and James Cannon replace Simon Linsell and Harry Casson. At blindside flanker, Max Northcote-Green starts ahead of Len Massyn. In the backs, fly-half Craig Willis starts instead of last week’s 10 Steven Shingler, Pat Howard returns for Matt Gordon in the centres, while last week's full back, Luke Daniels, moves to the wing with David Johnston returning at 15.
Jersey Reds climbed to second in the league after last weekend’s 40-31 win over Hartpury, and Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon makes six changes to the starting XV from that win. Eoghan Clarke starts at hooker with Harry Doolan ready to make an impact from the bench, and Steve Longwell replaces Luke Yendle to complete the front row changes. Macauley Cook is promoted from the bench to the second row, swapping with Tom Everard. Cardiff loanee Alun Lawrence gets the nod ahead of Tim Grey at No 8. James Mitchell starts ahead of James Elliot at nine, and Ryan Olowofela replaces Ryan Hutler on the wing.
15:00 London Scottish vs Nottingham
London Scottish failed to put points on the board last weekend against Cornish Pirates, but will fancy their chances of a comeback win against 10th placed Nottingham. Mak Wilson makes his debut for Scottish at tight-head prop in place of Dan Gamble. In the second row, Edoardo Balocco joins the fray instead of George Hammond. Fly-half Harry Sheppard will make his 50th appearance, and he will be partnered by scrum-half Stephen Kerins, replacing Dan Nutton; the only change in the backs.
The Archers head to the RAG emboldened by their victory over 9th placed Coventry last week, and head coach Craig Hammond makes a single personnel change to his line up, as Elliot Creed starts at outside centre instead of Will Simonds, with Charlie Thacker moving from 13 to 12.