In the circumstances, 1st and 2nd XV coaches Jordan Reynolds and Mark Stone, are feeling a degree of satisfaction in simply being able to name two squads for the away trips to Gravesend and Beeches respectively.

Jordan reports 18 players injured and unavailable and it is the backs that the team is worst hit.

The front row is strong enough with Simon Sharrott, Tom Ceillam and Cameron Craine locking horns, while Nick Merrien, Jim Regnard, Matt Thomas, Darrin Bellingham and Leon Gardner will be there right behind the front trio.

Sadly, this is the game where we say goodbye to Dale Rutledge, who will want to go out on a high before returning to his native New Zealand.

But there is some good news.

Jordan estimates that six to eight could return next week. ‘That would be a big bonus,’ he said.

‘We have been harder hit than anyone but we are trying to be as positive as possible.’

Naturally, there is a knock-on effect for the 2nds who travel to Jersey aiming for a second win in the JRA league.

Daniel de Kock, the young Leicester Tigers hopeful, has been called up and his presence is a big bonus for ‘Stoney’.

Stone admitted it was ‘all hands on deck this week given the Injury situation, primarily with the first team players’.

The squad he has named included Shane Taylor and Naro Zimmerman.

‘They are still recovering from Injuries but we are hopeful they can play some part. I’d probably have to play myself this week if I wasn’t still injured.

‘I could potentially still lose one of my backs to Jordan’s squad as well.’

Young Mitchell Smith is joined in the squad this week by his younger brother Jacob (17) who is another academy prospect, and his dad Mike, the former Siam veteran.

‘Three Smiths seems to work in the All Black Squad so I’m hoping the same applies for me!,‘said the coach.

‘We also have Daniel De Kock available, so he’ll certainly be one to keep an eye on.

‘Jim Rowe Steps in at 10 from the Vets and we may be forced into using back rower Nico Ashplant, who was Andover’s best player against St Jacques as a makeshift Centre.

‘He played there last year v Jersey 2nds so it’s not an unfamiliar role for him.’

Stone said he is desperately short of backs as his team aim to capitalise on their fine start to the JRA campaign, which was a win over the defending champions Les Quennevais.

‘That said we still have a squad full of young, hungry players supplemented by the experience of guys like Russell Roberts and Dave O’Hanlon who have a wealth of first XV experience.

‘I’m hopeful we have enough about us to get a result and it’s encouraging that despite our current injury situation we are still in a position to send two sides out for league fixtures.

Squad for Beeches in Jersey will be from:
Laurence Hill Tout
Daniel De Kock
Callum Murdoch
John Bergh
Fergus Moriarty
Russell Roberts
Mitchel Smith
Jacob Smith
Mike Smith
Dale Martin
Nico Ashplant
Dave O’Hanlon
Jim Rowe
Ollie Daunt
Callum Gladstone
Shane Taylor
Naro Zimmerman
Seoirse Martin
plus two or three others