Match Preview

LADIES HOST CULLOMPTON

IT WAS a quiet November for Chris Griffiths’ Ladies side, but they swing back into action on the old pitch on Saturday lunchtime.
Fellow Championship 2SW strugglers are the visitors and the target, quite obviously, is that elusive first win at the new higher level we find ourselves at.
‘We have had a three-week break since our last game away at Wimbledon Ladies and we have been putting a lot of focus at training on our defensive systems which we hope will shore things up and provide us with a good platform from where we can play some fast and clinical attacking rugby,’ said the coach after Wednesday’s training.
‘What we have undoubtedly been struggling with is our organisation in defence which we hope is a problem that has been solved, we simply can’t afford to keep giving opposition easy tries, which has been the case on a lot of occasions so far this season.’

The big team news is that Fiona Ashworth and Rachel Merrien return, but Tanya Scholtz and Vicki Rang are unavailable.
‘Crucially this week we have a strong looking back line,’ said Griffiths.
‘Fiona Ashworth is back from her trip to New Zealand and we have moved her from her more accustomed 10 position to 13 which also means we can afford to move the experienced Chelsie Blondel on to the wing.
‘This gives us not only more pace in the wider channels but a greater deal of rugby knowledge and hopefully good communication skills.
‘We will once again be calling on Fiona Power to step in from her usual back row position to fill the 15 role with Vicki Rang unavailable.’
Meanwhile, in the pack, we start with the same front 5 as against Wimbledon Ladies with a different looking back row.
Merrien comes back in from injury to play No. 8 while the absence of Scholtz means Ellie Whittles moves to 7 and Michelle Schofield slots in at 6.
‘We really want to show that we can defend as well as we can play going forward this weekend and I am hopeful that with the right mindset and playing our systems well we can put on a great performance and get that much needed win.’
Kick off is at noon ahead of the 1.30 start for the Vikings who are at home to St Francis at KGV.
Please go along and support both games.

Ladies starting XV:
Andrea Harris, Sophie O'Connell, Janelly Le Maitre, Rebecca Drury, Kristine Vavere, Michelle Schofield, Ellie Whittles, Rachel Merrien, Jemma Crouse (captain), Justeen Baker, Chelsie Blondel, Hannah Guilbert, Fiona Ashworth, Lael Hollingworth, Fiona Power.
Replacements: Michaela Rabey, Fiona Drape, Aimee Gaudion.