Championship: Weekend Preview
Team news ahead of the weekend's action in The Championship.
The Championship ramps up this weekend as we enter the final quarter of an enthralling campaign. The tussle at the top of the table continues with Cornish Pirates, Doncaster Knights, and Jersey Reds all in action and looking to squeeze Ealing’s grip on the number one spot. Here's a look at how the teams line up.
Friday
19:45 | Nottingham vs Jersey Reds
After a bye week, Nottingham will be buoyed by the return of the club captain Josh Poulet to the starting XV at No. 8 as they look for their first win of 2022 against Jersey Reds. Nottingham last played in Round 14 in a 52-17 loss to Cornish Pirates. Toby Williams comes in for Sio Aniseko at loosehead, Scott Hall replaces Jose Andrade at lock, and George Cox comes in at 6 for Carl Kirwan. There are numerous changes in the backline, with Matt Marsh at 9 and Morgan Bunting moving from 12 to 10. Wasps loanee Will Simonds and Charlie Thacker partner in the centres. David Williams, who captained the side against Cornish and recently became Nottingham’s highest try scorer in the Championship, starts at wing alongside Harry Graham and Jack Stapley in the back three.
Following a hard-fought 29-13 win over Richmond last Saturday, four fresh faces come into the Jersey starting XV against Nottingham. Hooker Harry Doolan is among the changes, while Roy Godfrey moves from the bench into the starting XV at loosehead, and flexible back-rower Mark Argyle starts at 6. In the backs, South African Scott Van Breda returns to the centres, and fellow South African Brendan Owens moves from the wing to fullback.
Saturday
14:00 | Richmond vs Cornish Pirates
Richmond will be looking to bounce back after their Round 16 loss to Jersey Reds, which saw the south west Londoners ship two tries in the last eight minutes in a 29-13 defeat. Head coach Rob Powell has made just three changes for his side’s clash against Cornish Pirates, originally meant to have been played in Round 12. In-form hooker James Hadfield returns to the number two shirt, looking to add to his impressive try tally of five this season. In the backline, fly half Ted Landray gets his first start of the new year, and Ealing loanee James Kane moves to 13 due to Lennox Anyanwu’s unavailability.
With two games in hand over Doncaster Knights, Cornish Pirates will be looking to end the weekend in second place in The Championship. Up front, prop Alfie Petch swaps places with Sam Rodman, who started against Coventry, and in a reorganised back row Caleb Montgomery moves from 8 to 6, with Matt Bolwell moving from 6 to 7. Tom Duncan, who scored off the bench against Coventry is named at 8. Wingers Callum Sirker and Robin Wedlake are the only two to retain their spot in the back line. Harry Bazalgette starts at 10, Tommy Wyatt and Shae Tucker pair up in midfield, and Carwyn Penny takes the 15 shirt.
14:30 | Doncaster Knights vs Bedford Blues
Doncaster Knights will be looking to avenge their early-season loss to Bedford Blues at Castle Park this Saturday. Head coach Steve Boden has named just three changes to the starting XV which beat Ampthill in a windy affair last weekend. The sole change in the pack sees Conor Davidson return to the side at prop. In the backs, Maliq Holden comes off the bench to replace Harry Davey, who moves to fullback, and Conor Edwards replaces Mark Best at 12 alongside Joe Margetts.
Bedford head north in search of their first win of 2022. The Blues haven’t registered an away win against Doncaster in almost a decade, and head coach Mike Rayer has been forced to make seven changes. After last weekend’s loss against Hartpury, a completely new front row of Joey Conway, Jacob Fields [making his first start] and Ed Prowse take to the pitch. Bailey Ransom returns at blindside, with Tui Uru switching to Number 8 to accommodate him. In the backs, Connor Tupai starts at 9 after Alex Day misses out due to his Head Injury Assessment protocols. Andre Roberson gets his first Blues start, playing at outside centre with Jamie Elliot moving inside, and Matt Worley rounds off the changes at full back.
14:30 | Hartpury University v Ealing Trailfinders
Hartpury announce a settled squad for this weekend’s game against Ealing Trailfinders, with head coach Mark Cornwell making just two changes to the side that beat Bedford Blues away last weekend. Unsurprisingly, Mitch Eadie returns to the No 8 spot, having been unavailable last week. The second change is at loosehead prop, where Conor Maguire makes a welcomed return from injury.
Championship leaders Ealing Trailfinders last played two weeks ago, in a 47-5 win over Coventry, after last week’s fixture against London Scottish was postponed. Like Hartpury, Ealing also only make two changes to their last starting XV. Both changes come in the front row, with Dylan Smith coming in at tighthead prop and Shaun Malton at hooker.