Ampthill welcome an in-form Nottingham Rugby to The Olney Field on Saturday afternoon to complete the first round of games in the 2025/26 Champ Rugby season.
The Mob enjoyed a much improved December, claiming 17 from 20 points including wins at Richmond and Doncaster Knights.
Head Coach Dave Ward makes seven changes to the side that lost at Caldy last Saturday afternoon including five in the pack.
After an attritional block of games, Ward rotates the front row with forward coach Richard Barrington at loosehead, James Isaacs at hooker and Scottish U20 Callum Norrie at tighthead. Tatoa Auvaa and Olamide Sodeke start together again in the engine room whilst in the back row Tayo Adegbemile makes his full debut on the blindside after coming on against London Scottish, Charles Rylands captains the team on the open side and Ollie Mullarkey fills the eight berth in the absence of Tino Mapapalangi.
Finn Keylock played full back against Caldy but starts at ten this week with ever present Efan Jones again at scrum half. Caldy Man of the Match Sione Va’enuku is partnered by Oscar Wilson in midfield whilst in the back three, Sam Kildunne returns on the left wing with Angus Hall again on the right and Luke Davidson makes his first start of the season at full back.
Ward names a six:two bench for this game.
1st XV v Nottingham kicks off at 1:30 on Sat 3rd January. Tickets are available via TicketCo at ampthillrufc.com
Note: With sustained sub-zero temperatures forecast over the next twenty four hours, a pitch inspection is booked for both Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Please check our social media for further updates regarding the game.
Starting XV
1. Rich Barrington 2. Jimmy Isaacs 3. Callum Norrie 4. Totoa Auvaa 5. Olamide Sodeke 6. Tayo Adegbemile 7. Charles Rylands (c) 8. Ollie Mullarkey 9. Efan Jones (vc) 10. Finn Keylock 11. Sam Kildunne 12. Sione Vaenuku 13. Oscar Wilson 14. Angus Hall 15. Luke Davidson
Replacements:
16. Seb Smith 17. Harrison Courtney 18. Jevaughn Warren 19. Jake Parkinson 20. Kima Ravuvu
21. Harrison Dakin 22. Rory Morgan 23. Josh Barton