Rugby: Vikings take on Pirates as Quate celebrates 50th appearance

Friday 20 September 2024

The Vikings take on the Pirates this weekend, as St Jacques travel to Eastleigh in Counties One Hampshire.

Layton Batiste's side are seeking to back up their home victory last week by securing their first away win of the season.

Eastleigh are a side that St Jacques have some experience of, having played both their 1st & 2nd XV's over recent years.

The last contest was a pre-season friendly in 2021, which the English side prevailed in handsomely. Since then however, the Vikings have evolved, working their way through the RFU leagues to now have the opportunity to take on the Pirates competitively again.

A decade ago St Jacques faced Eastleigh in the Hampshire Cup at the KGV. That was the first game against competitive UK opposition for the club in some time, and which ultimately led to them joining the English leagues the following season.

Last weekend Eastleigh were undone 57-22 by Havant II's at Hook's Lane, but started the season with a 34-10 home victory over their local rivals, Trojans. They are an experienced team at level 7.

Batiste was pleased to see the Vikings produce an excellent second-half performance last week, having been 19-3 down at the break. This week however, he will be hoping they can bring that level from the first whistle.

Taylor Quate returns to the Vikings' side at outside-centre. This will be his 50th appearance for the club, and after injury troubles and work commitments impacted his availability last season. He will be hoping to be able to string together a run of performances this season.

Quate is undoubtedly one of the 'x-factor' players for the Sarnian side when in form.

Jason Batiste is unavailable and taking his place at inside-centre is Ed Duerden, who has overcome injury to make his first appearance of the season. He was one of the biggest improvers in the Vikings squad last season, providing strong ball carrying and stern defending in the midfield.

For the first time in a year, all three of the Smith brothers are included in a Vikings squad. The youngest Michael  has returned from a year in Australia. He starts in the front-row along with Dan De Kock and Tom Bray. James Mroch provides the cover among the reinforcements.

Mitch Smith returns to the second-row with Keiran Williamson, whilst Jacob Smith is at no-8. Chris Croft and young debutant Raif Carre complete the forwards unit.

Carre is the captain of the Rugby Academy Colts side, he impressed in his only pre-season appearance against Jersey Seconds, and will be looking to stake a claim for a regular slot in the St Jacques back-row.

Angus MacCallum has been recalled to the Guernsey Raiders side this weekend, while Tom Creed is unavailable.

Adam Giles continues to partner with captain Tom Veillard in the half-backs, while out wide Jamie Mahy and Cameron Le Prevost start on the wings. Former captain Matt Lomas-Lloyf has shaken off the injury he sustained in the opening match to return at full-back.

Another long-term injury returnee is named on the bench. Tom Yarwood broke his ankle last season, but after a difficult period of rehabilitation he is now fit. He is a player who is on the cusp of the Raiders squad.

Kick-off on Saturday is 1pm in Eastleigh.

Vikings (1-15): MH Smith, De Kock, Bray, M Smith, Williamson, Croft, Carre, J Smith, Giles, Veillard (c), Le Prevost, Duerden, Quate, Mahy, Lomas-Lloyd. Replacements: Mroch, Yarwood, Donaldson