Vikings back in action after six weeks

Friday 12 January 2024

St Jacques Vikings return to action after six weeks off against Tottonians Seconds on Saturday.

Ray Smart’s side are facing the league’s bottom side, in what will be their first match since the disappointing loss to Sandown and Shanklin in early December.

They are looking to get back to winning ways, but more importantly they are seeking to produce a better performance after some mixed showings through October and November.

The black and yellows were formidable the last time they faced Tottonians, scoring over 100 points in the Footes Lane sunshine, but the hosts this week have had some closer results in recent games, so the Vikings know they must not be at all complacent.

Jack Webber scored and produced a strong showing from the replacements against Sandown last time out. He returns to the starting lineup this week, where he is expected to be an attacking threat.

Scrum-half Pierre de Garis has been absent for the last few matches, but he returns to the squad this week. Dale Rutledge is with the Guernsey Raiders.

Another important attacking threat Taylor Quate is finally back in the side in his favoured outside centre role. He has not played since September, but his return is timely as Lucas Barker is unavailable for the time being.

For the first time this season St Jacques forwards coach Dan Brown will lace up his boots. He steps in to offer some powerful reinforcement from the replacements, as Smart seeks to ensure his side have the firepower amongst the forwards to execute their game plan.

There are some positional changes as Gearoid Lee moves to fly-half, having been deployed at full-back primarily this season. He is a very experienced number 10 and offers a different threat to Tom Veillard, who moves to inside centre as the Vikings opt for dual playmakers for the Tottonians clash.

Matt Lomas captains the side from full-back, while cousins Will and Kieran Creber are deployed on the wings.

St Jacques: Wallis, Mroch, Bray, Williamson, J Smith, Webber, Yarwood, M Smith, de Garis, Lee, W Creber, Veillard, Quate, K Creber, Lomas ©; Brown, Donaldson, Le Roux.