With Amersham & Chiltern next up for the 1st XV, three of the club’s biggest names are fit again and will start in the away match on Saturday, one that takes on huge importance given the slow, injury ravaged start to the campaign.

The return of Kiwi trio Nick Barton, Malcolm Barnes and Glen Walters in the pivotal 8-9-10 axis is a major boost, especially when considered alongside the return of the quietly influential lock forward Lewis Hillier who makes his first start of the campaign.

The coach says it has been a retched period for the club, but the illustrious quartet’s return could soon be followed by returns for the likes of skipper Blair Campbell, Fijian newcomer Simi Sawene and, a bit further along the injury road, Greg Smith.

‘This is probably the strongest team we have been able to put out,’ says the coach.

But, he recognises, it is time to start winning and make up lost ground.

‘We can start trying to play our systems and play some attractive rugby rather than keeping it “up the jumper”.

‘I look through this backline and there is great potential. We have got the mind-set now that we want to attack.’

Nevertheless, a tough test is expected from the sixth-placed side, who scored 40 points against Hertford away from home, but lost badly to CS Rugby 1863.

GUERNSEY TEAM
Craine, Ceillam, L. Batiste, Merrien, Hillier, Thomas, Le Cocq, Barton, Barnes, Walters, Taylor, Hema, J. Batiste, Hile, Whitehead.

Replacements: Bellingham, Regnard, plus one to be confirmed.

After some hectic weekends, this one is a fairly quiet one down Footes Lane way. The 2nds and Ladies have a weekend off, so if you want to watch some senior rugby there is St Jacques against Trojans at KGV on Saturday afternoon, an important game in the Hampshire Solent Merit League.

On the Academy side, the U11s also travel to Amersham on Saturday for a friendly and on Sunday the U14s play Uckfield.