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St Jacques Vikings need a win on the road against second-placed Basingstoke tomorrow as the season enters the business end.
Both sides will be looking for points to boost their promotion hopes in Counties Two Hampshire.
While the Vikings sit once place beneath the hosts and 11 points behind, they have two games in hand and a win for the Sarnian side would likely set up a showdown game with the league leaders Sandown & Shanklin at Footes Lane in a few weeks time.
Earlier in the season at Les Ozouets it was St Jacques who prevailed in awful conditions against the Dragons, winning a close contest 24-15.
Saturday’s instalment at Down Grange is likely to be a tough encounter between the sides.
Club captain Matt Lomas said: “We know that Basingstoke are a very good side, that’s why they are second in the league. But we are well up for it this weekend and are looking forward to the game.”
“We’ve had a good week at training to prepare for the game, the skills and accuracy were on point, and we know how we want to play against them this week.”
The Vikings welcome back several key players for the contest, including scrum-half Dale Rutledge.
“Having Dale [Rutledge] back is massive, he controls the game and the tempo for us, and is a huge boost. He’s been with the Raiders most of the season but it’s great to have him with us this weekend.”
Unsurprisingly coach Ray Smart has named his strongest available side for the match, which also includes returns for Darrin Bellingham, Tom Rihoy, Will Creber, Will Forbes-Lee and Gearoid Lee to the XV. Among the replacements Phil Le Noury also returns from an injury lay-off that has kept him out for several months.
Bellingham starts in the front-row with Tom Bray and JP Phelan, while Tom Creed and Jacob Smith once again pair up in the second-row.
The return of Rihoy is another big addition on the flank, and hat-trick debutant against Winchester Dan De Kock moves from hooker to join him. Mitchell Smith starts at no 8, and will captain the side from the off, with Lomas among the replacements.
Tom Veillard will steer the Vikings ship at flyhalf, partnering with Rutledge to run the attack for the side.
In the centre’s Creber and Joe Le Roux join forces, while in the outside backs Forbes-Lee offers a strong attacking threat on the wing. Kieran Creber joins him, and second playmaker Lee starts at fullback.
Aslo among the replacements, big second-row Keiran Williamson is back in the side. Lomas provides the backs cover.
The match kicks-off at 14:00 in Basingstoke.
St Jacques: Darrin Bellingham, Tom Bray, JP Phelan, Tom Creed, Jacob Smith, Tom Rihoy, Dan De Kock, Mitch Smith (c), Dale Rutledge, Tom Veillard, Kieran Creber, Will Creber, Joe Le Roux, Will Forbes-Lee, Gearoid Lee. Replacements: Phil Le Noury, Keiran Williamson, Matt Lomas.
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