The 1st XV have another away trip this weekend when we travel to Yorkshire Carnegie on Sunday in the Greene King IPA Championship, for our first visit to the Emerald Headingly Stadium. After a tough trip to Falcon’s last week where we gained a 4 try bonus point – the first team in the Championship to achieve this against Falcons at home this season, the team has a different look this weekend with the availability of dual-reg players. Olly Morris will be familiar to A’s fans after playing with us for the whole of last season and new signing Michael van Vuuren will make his Maroon and Gold debut from the bench.
A’s won this fixture 53-22 back in October but we are facing a very different Carnegie with a changed coaching team and several new players on the field and expect a tough challenge.
Paul Turner, Head Coach of Ampthill Rugby “We have had a good week after what was a historic weekend away at Newcastle Falcons last weekend.
We have made a number of changes to the side with five changes in the pack and three changes in the backs. Luvuyo Pupuma and Aleki Lutui come in at prop, with Shay Kerry returning to the second row. Joe Bercis and Syd Blackmore join Rob Langley in a new-look back row.
Kevin Barrett rotates from the bench last week at scrum-half and Tommy Matthews on Dual Reg from Northampton Saints and Olly Morris Dual Reg from Worcester Warriors form a new centre pairing. Olly is well known to the A’s fans after being an ever-present in the backline for last season’s National One title-winning team.
We are looking forward to our first ever trip to the Emerald Headingley Stadium on Sunday on what will be another new experience for the Maroon and Gold faithful.”
The full squad
15 Lewis, Tomi
14 Sutherland, Spencer
13 Morris, Olly
12 Matthews, Tommy
11 Foster, Will
10 Grimoldby, Louis (Capt)
9 Barrett, Kevin
1 Pupuma, Luvuyo
2 Ward, Dave
3 Lutui, Aleki
4 Johnson, Billy
5 Kerry, Shay
6 Langley, Rob
7 Bercis, Joe
8 Blackmore, Syd
16 van Vuuren, Michael
17 Christie, Ben
18 Collins, Matt
19 Arthur, Jac
20 Allman, Will
21 Fukofuka, Leon
22 Hanks, Sam
23 Gillespie, Josh
If you are traveling to Leeds on Sunday tickets are available at https://www.yorkshirecarnegie.com/tickets/
