Championship Round 19 Preview
Team news ahead of Round 19 of The Championship.
The most anticipated round of the season kicks off this weekend, with a full complement of fixtures, including two top-four clashes as Ealing Trailfinders host Doncaster Knights on Saturday and Cornish Pirates take on Jersey Reds on Sunday. Off the pitch, there was also an important announcement from the RFU on Friday that the governing body will be consulting on proposals for an additional cup competition between Premiership and Championship clubs for the 2023/24 season [see link below for the full release from the RFU]. So, with the clock ticking down to a big weekend in The Championship, here's a look at how the 10 teams are set to line up. [Photo Credit: Brian Tempest]
Saturday
14:30 Hartpury University vs Ampthill
Despite not registering a win since late January, Hartpury have put in good performances against the likes of Doncaster Knights and Jersey Reds, and will be optimistic in their final home league game of the season against Ampthill. Hartpury make one change to the starting XV that lost to table toppers Doncaster by a single point last weekend. After Ethan Hunt sustained a cut to the forehead in last round’s game, his replacement Will Capon continues at hooker. At fullback, Tommy Mathews, who earns his second successive start, will be familiar with this weekend’s opponent, after he spent some time there on dual registration from Northampton Saints in the 2019-20 season, playing against Hartpury in the final game before the league was closed down by Covid.
Ampthill travel to the Alpas Arena just four points away from Hartpury in the league table, and an away win could potentially see them crack the top five of The Championship. Head coach Paul Turner has made six changes to the starting XV that edged Richmond last weekend. Theo Dan starts at hooker after a strong showing in the second half last week. Player-coach Llewellyn Jones starts at lock alongside captain Charlie Beckett, moving Cai Devine to the backrow. Alongside Devine is Joe Bercis at seven, and Ollie Stonham at eight. For the changes in the backs, Kevin Barrett returns to scrum-half. Joe Goodchild switches wings with Josh Gillespie returning to the fold, and Josh Hallet starts at inside centre over Tom Hudson.
15:00 Coventry vs London Scottish
Coventry host London Scottish at the Butts Park Arena and little change has been made to the starting XV that played Nottingham two weeks ago. Tony Fenner will start at fly-half in what is his 100th appearance for Coventry. The pack remains the same, although locks James Tyas and Adam Peters switch sides of the scrum. Tom Stanton gets the nod at wing ahead of Louis James. Tom Curtis slides from fullback to inside centre, moving Will Owen to 13. And Louis Brown starts at fullback.
London Scottish played out a thoroughly entertaining match against Nottingham, but they are still searching for their first win of 2022. Their sole win of the campaign, in fact, came against Coventry back in late November. Alex Gibson makes his first start at hooker, with Maurice Nwakor and Joe Rees either side of him. The second row remains the same. But David Halaifonua makes his first start at six, shifting Tom Baldwin to number eight, with Jack Ingall remaining at seven. Dan Nutton starts at nine ahead of Stephen Kerins. Leo Fielding moves from outside centre to fullback with Hayden Hyde coming in at 13, partnering Harlequins loanee Paul Lasike.
15:00 Ealing Trailfinders vs Doncaster Knights
Ealing Trailfinders will have the chance to reclaim their top spot at the table in a blockbuster clash with current league leaders Doncaster Knights. Ealing name just one change to the side that scored an away win over Jersey Reds last round. Simon Linsell starts at blindside flanker, replacing Simon Uzokwe and moving Max Northcote-Green to openside.
After last weekend’s narrow win over Hartpury, Doncaster Knights make just three changes to the starting XV. Ben Murphy comes into the second row, partnering with John Kelly. Sam Hudson is welcomed back to the team, he replaces Guido Volpi at blindside flanker. The sole change in the backline is at scrum-half, where Alex Dolly replaces Joe Green in what is set to be a hugely significant match in this season's Championship title race.
Sunday
14:00 Cornish Pirates vs Jersey Reds
Whilst 1st and 2nd battle it out in West London, 3rd and 4th will face off in Penzance as Cornish Pirates welcome Jersey Reds to the Mennaye. The Mennaye has been a fortress for Pirates so far this season, recording seven wins out of seven. Pirates have stuck with the same backline that got four points from Bedford Blues last weekend. But changes in the pack see Jack Andrew selected at loose-head prop and Caleb Montgomery on the blind side berth, with Matt Bolwell moving to the open side.
Jersey Reds face their second top four clash in as many weeks after last round’s fixture against Ealing Trailfinders. Like Pirates, they make just three changes, starting with James Flynn at loosehead prop. James Elliot starts at scrum-half, and Dan Barnes rounds out the changes for an enticing Championship tie.
Sunday 15:00 Nottingham vs Bedford Blues
Nottingham have recorded two successive victories for the first time this season, and head coach Craig Hammond has got his side playing entertaining rugby ahead of Bedford Blues’ arrival to Lady Bay. Jack Ramshaw and Lewis Barrett are the two changes in the pack at second row and openside flanker respectively. And the two changes in the backline are Joe Browning on the wing in place of Harry Graham, and Will Simmons starts at 12 instead of Elliot Creed.
Last weekend, Bedford Blues came agonisingly close to seeing off Cornish Pirates, but a late game salvo from Pirates denied the Blues. Mike Rayer makes just two changes for the fixture against the Archers as rotation at tighthead prop continues with Ed Prowse being handed the starting jersey. The other change sees Robin Williams return to the starting XV after some impressive displays of late, while Luke Frost moves from the second row to blindside flanker to accommodate Williams’ inclusion.