Ampthill return to The Olney Field after a four week break welcoming old-rivals Richmond in Round 21 of Elior Champ Rugby.
This could be a season defining game for both clubs – a win for the Mob will create clear daylight between them and the bottom three whilst a Richmond victory will drag Ampthill into a battle to avoid the relegation play-offs. The sides last met at The RAG in December – an 80th minute last play try for James Isaacs giving the Mob the spoils.
Head Coach Dave Ward has a full strength squad to pick from and makes three changes to the starting fifteen team that delivered a hard fought win away at Hartpury last Friday night.
Ward names unchanged front and back rows in the pack whilst Kennedy Sylvester starts at lock in place of Totoa Auvaa alongside Justin Mataele in the engine room.
The headline changes are in the back three where Ward is able to select two of English rugby’s brightest talents with Jack Bracken on the left wing and Noah Caluori on the right. Both have impressed in previous appearances for the Mob and gone onto establish themselves in the Saracens 1st team and England U20 squads.
Ampthill names an unchanged half-back pairing with Efan Jones alongside Luke Davidson, whilst club captain Fraser Strachan and Sione Va’enuku line up again in midfield. Joe Heslop retains his place in the starting fifteen after impressive performances of late but moves to full back this week.
Ampthill v Richmond kicks off at 2pm. Clubhouse bars open at 1200 and Pitchside gates 1pm. Advance tickets are available at www.ampthillrufc.com at a discounted rate to ‘at the gate’.
Starting XV
1 Harrison Courtney 2. Seb Smith 3. Jevaughn Warren 4. Kennedy Slyvester 5. Justin Mataele
6. Ollie Mullarkey 7. Charles Rylands 8. Tino Mapapalangi 9. Efan Jones 10. Luke Davidson
11. Jack Bracken 12. Fraser Strachan (c) 13. Sione Vaenuku 14. Noah Caluori 15. Joe Heslop
Replacements:
16 Harrison Dakin 17. Rich Barrington 18. James Johnston 19. Reggie Hammick 20. Barney Merrett21. Rory Morgan 22. Oscar Wilson 23. Josh Barton
Referee: Joe James