Guernsey Raiders 1st XV
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Sat 06 May 2017
Jersey RFC
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Guernsey Raiders
Guernsey Raiders 1st XV

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Katie Daunt4 May 2017 - 18:52
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FIVE NEW SIAM CAPS IN STARTING XV

'WE'RE better prepared and have had a really strong squad to pick from'.
But for all those words, head coach Jordan Reynolds is adamant his well-tuned squad are 'massive underdogs' as they head to St Peter for Siam day.
'You have to be delusional to think otherwise,' he added, sweeping aside the notion just because we pushed them close at Footes Lane a year ago and we have improved as a unit in the 12 months since, Guernsey are favourites to win.
Reynolds has named six debutants in their match-day squad, five of which start.
Three of the starting pack – prop Sam Steventon, flanker Romain Mercadal and No. 8 Dan Hill – as well as fullback Kenny Hellier will be making their first appearance in the showpiece occasion of Channel Islands rugby while Luke Skovronek and Paddy Ryan will make their debuts off the bench as the Raiders attempt to win the silverware for the first time since 2008.

Meanwhile, captain Lewis Hillier has recovered from his foot injury and is fit to lead the side out at St Peter.
The coach says that the final Thursday night training session was as light as it can be, adding: 'We'll leave the body alone till Saturday'.
Reynolds says he has full faith in all his squad and a large part of his planning is to make a big impact off the bench, something which simply could not happen 12 months ago when we faded away badly in the final stages to lose a ninth game in a row.

For all that, Reynolds says he and his team are heading east to win.
'Last year we were a little bit shell shocked, being in the lead and then losing Owen (Thomas).
'I feel we have learned a lot about our own failures then.
'But the boys and my perspective is that it will be difficult to put in such a huge effort as we have done and not get anything from it.'
So a gallant, narrow loss would be no consolation to the Australian.
'It's going to take 22 guys to win this ... we have never had a bench like we have.
'We are better prepared and a better squad to pick from, but it will require even harder work (to win) especially as we are playing away.'

Good luck to all our lads and lasses in Jersey.

Kick off times for all teams:
Vets: 10:30am
Ladies: 10:50am
2nds: 12:30pm
1sts: 3pm

Match details

Match date

Sat 06 May 2017

Kickoff

15:00

Location

Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Gold Sponsor - Babbé
Silver Sponsor - Polygon Collective
Charitable Partner - Betway
Sponsor of the Director of Rugby - Doyle Motors
Kit Sponsor - Fletcher Sports
Travel Kit Sponsor - Fresh Dental
Official Kit Supplier - Gilbert
Bronze Sponsor - Leapfrog Recruitment Consultants
Silver Sponsor - Little Big Group
Silver Sponsor - LTS Tax
Travel Kit Sponsor - MSF
Club Sponsor - Praxis IFM
Silver Sponsor - Rossborough Insurance
Shirt Sponsor - Spring
Shorts Sponsor - Wordley Law