Following back to back wins against Hartpury and Richmond, the 1st XV are at home again on Saturday and welcome Doncaster Knights to The Olney Field in round 22 of Elior Champ Rugby.
The Knights are one of the form teams in the competition and Head Coach Dave Ward expects a fierce contest on Saturday “the Knights will be targeting this one, they’ll want revenge for our win up there – we probably caught them at the right time but we’re ready for a battle this weekend”
Ward makes five changes to the starting XV this week, three in the pack and two in the back three. Alex O’Driscoll makes his 1st XV debut at loosehead having previously played in the 1881s. He is alongside Harrison Dakin who replaces Seb Smith at hooker whilst Jevaughn Warren retains the tighthead jersey. Kennedy Sylvester made the Elior Champ Rugby team of the week with his performance against Richmond and starts again with Tongan Justin Mataele in the engine room. Ollie Mullarkey and vice-captain Charles Rylands are again on the flanks whilst the final change in the pack sees Barney Merrett making his first start since picking up an injury against Worcester in October replacing Tino Mapapalangi at eight.
Scrum-half Efan Jones scored the opening try against Richmond last week and his half-back partner Luke Davidson went six from nine off the tee and they start again this week. Captain Fraser Strachan has talisman Sione Va’enuku outside him in midfield whilst in the back three Oscar Wilson replaces Noah Caluori on the right wing, Jack Brackens starts again on the left and Angus Hall comes in at full back.
1st XV v Doncaster Knights kicks off at 3pm. Gates open at 2pm.
Tickets are averrable at TicketCo
The first 100 children through the gate will receive a FREE Easter Egg.
1st XV
1 Alex O’Driscoll 2. Harrison Dakin 3. Jevaughn Warren 4. Kennedy Sylvester 5. Justin Mataele 6. Ollie Mullarkey 7. Charles Rylands (vc) 8. Barney Merrett 9. Efan Jones 10. Luke Davidson 11. Jack Bracken 12. Fraser Strachan (c) 13. Sione Vaenuku 14. Oscar Wilson 15. Angus Hall
Replacements
16 James Isaacs 17. Harrison Courtney 18. James Johnston 19. Jake Parkinson 20. Charlie West 21. Rory Morgan 22. Louis Grimoldby 23. Joe Heslop