Influential three-quarters Jay Bartle and Peter Deffains plus stand-off Gary Rousseau are all out – two of them currently watching the World Cup in Australia – while Mike Hawkins is nursing a long-term injury which keeps him on the bench.And, while they have been attracting only a handful of players for most of the season, St Jacques had over 20 players to Wednesday’s training session and are confident that the game, which will also count towards the Emeraude Lines JRA league, will be theirs.’This year our strength is in our threes,’ said St Jacques’ chairman, Andy Ingrouille.’We’ve picked up some young, fast players and want to spread the ball wide.’Miles Birch is a star player while Matt Channings is a player of impact.
The guys are really fired up, and although we never underestimate Les Quennevais, who are a very physical side, we’re up for it.’If Les Quennevais want to return to winning ways after an abysmal start to the season, they must dominate in the pack, where captain Nick Durbano returns to the second row after a month out of the Island, allowing former JRFC 1st XV player Richard Vetier to slot in at flanker.Roy Le Lièvre is in his customary place at No 8 while Simon Gilley returns as full-back.’I’m optimistic,’ said Durbano.
‘For the first time this season we had 17 or 18 players at training this week and we’ve a tasty new player in Matt Smith in the threes.
‘The only question mark we’ve got is at prop, but we’re hoping that Andy Mayo will find a replacement at work for an hour or two – and our pack is very strong.’Team: Dave Powell, Howard Phillips, Andy Mayo, Darren O’Brien, Nick Durbano (captain), Richard Vetier, Trevor Smith, Roy Le Lièvre, Will Church, Iain Robertson, Matt Smith, Andy Morgan, Tim Hutchins, Dave Marsh, Simon Gilley.
Reserves: Richard Brown, Mark Gilham, Charlie Gallichan, Mike Hawkins.Guernsey St Jacques (squad): James Hayes, Ricky Vidamour, Andrew Ingrouille, Matthew Channings, Richard Harrison, Marcus Allen, Adrian Gabriel, Stefan Bampton (captain), Kevin Boothroyd, Richard Fyfe, Tristan Boscher, Bertram Salt, Daniel Wessels, Mike Quittenden, Trevor Marquis, Danny McAvey, Simon Freeman, Timothy Jeffrey, Andrew Vedier.
