The Mob welcome Worcester Warriors to The Olney Field tomorrow in the first competitive game between the sides at Dillingham Park. Warriors visited in preseason – their first game for over three years with nearly 1500 supporters in attendance. The sides met Rugby at Sixways in Champ Rugby last October. A competitive game ebbed and flowed in the first half with Ampthill leading 14-21 at one point before the Warriors strength in depth showed in the second half.
Head Coach Dave Ward makes five changes to the starting fifteen from Pirates last week and rewards the subs who came on in the second half and made a real difference to the game against Pirates.
Pirates try-scorer Harrison Courtney starts again at loosehead and is joined by Harrison Dakin at hooker with Jevaughn Warren at tighthead. Jake Parkinson starts in the engine room after impressing against Pirates when he came on alongside Tongan Justin Mataele. Totoa Auvaa switches to blindside this week with vice-captain Charles Rylands on the openside and Ollie Mullarkey at number eight.
Ward names a new half back pairing with second-half sub Rory Morgan starting at nine with player coach Louis Grimoldby at fly-half. Club Captain Fraser Strachan renews his centre partnership with Sione Va’enuku outside him. Oscar Wilson starts on the left wing this week after scoring two tries against Warriors there in October with Sam Kildunne on the opposite wing and young Matt Salisbury at full back.
An experienced bench includes premiership winner James Johnston.
Ampthill v Warriors kicks off at 1:30. Tickets available at ampthillrufc.com
Starting XV
1. Harrison Courtney 2. Harrison Dakin 3. Jevaughn Warren 4. Justin Mataele 5. Jake Parkinson 6. Totoa Auvaa 7. Charles Rylands (vc) 8. Ollie Mullarkey 9. Rory Morgan 10. Louis Grimoldby
11. Oscar Wilson 12. Fraser Strachan (c) 13. Sione Vaenuku 14. Sam Kildunne 15. Matt Salisbury
Replacements:
16. James Isaacs 17. Callum Norrie 18. James Johnston 19. Kima Ravuvu 20. Aaron Gear
21. Efan Jones 22. Joe Heslop 23. Mason Cullen