Rugby: Vikings looking to retain 100% record against unbeaten Dragons

Friday 17 November 2023

Basingstoke roll into town tomorrow looking to breathe fire on the Vikings' unbeaten record.

The two sides will face off as the only teams that are unbeaten in Counties Two Hampshire.

The game will be played at Les Ozouets Campus, having been moved from the Garenne Stand due to the wet weather making playing two men’s games on that pitch not possible.

While the Vikings have been on the rise in recent seasons, Basingstoke have come down a few levels.

The contest is likely to be a competitive test for both sides, with the Vikings hoping that playing on home soil for the first time since September will help improve their form.

They had a close call with Winchester Seconds last week, but eventually came through with a 29-27 victory following a second-half comeback. Basingstoke secured a more comprehensive 29-12 victory over Locks Heath Pumas at home.

Tom Creed missed the trip to Winchester through injury, but he returns to the Vikings side in the second-row. 

Another big game player returning to the side is Dale Rutledge at scrum-half. He played for Guernsey Raiders last weekend.

Matt Lomas will lead the Vikings from the wing, as Gearoid Lee slots back in at fullback having been unavailable last weekend. Niall McGann continues in the midfield, while Lucas Barker is promoted from the replacements to start on Saturday alongside him.

Kieran Creber has been ruled out after he picked up an injury in training. It is not thought to be a significant setback, and he could return in the next few weeks.

In the forwards Tom Bray returns  to start in the front row along with Darrin Bellingham and JP Phelan.

Liam Welch starts at number 8, while Mitch Smith and Phil Le Noury complete the back-row.

Kick-off is 12.30PM at Les Ozouets.

Vikings: Phelan, Bellingham, Bray, Creed, J Smith, M Smith, Le Noury, Welch, Rutledge, Veillard, Le Roux, Barker, McGann, Lomas (c), Lee. Replacements: Mroch, Yarwood, W Creber