The Mob look to return to winning ways on Saturday when they welcome old friends Caldy to The Olney Field.
Ahead of the game, Head Coach Paul Turner said “The squad has pulled together and trained really well this week, the players are raring to go on Saturday and show how they can play. Caldy are always tough well drilled opponents, and we’ll need to exercise our game plan to get the result we want”
Turner makes nine changes to the starting XV this week. In the backs division, captain Josh Barton returns to the starting XV and is partnered in the half-backs by last seasons Young Player of the Year Charlie Bracken who makes his first appearance of 2024-25. Vice-captain Fraser Strachan combines with Josh Hallett in midfield whilst in the back-three Brandon Jackson returns on the left, Vereimi Qorowale switches to the right and Irishman Oran McNulty continues at full-back.
Turner changes his front five in the scrum this week. Player-Coach Richard Barrington returns at loosehead after missing the Nottingham game. He has James Hadfield alongside him at hooker and Dom Hardman gets his first start of the season at tighthead. Kaden Pearce-Paul partners Olamide Sodeke in the engine room whilst the backrow is unchanged with Valentino Mapapalangi on the blindside, Karl Main on the openside and Lekima Ravuvu packing down at eight.
South African centre Byron Sharwood is among the replacements and will look to make his Mob debut from the bench after a powerful performance for the 1881s last weekend.
Team to play Caldy (H). 2pm kick off.
- Richard Barrington 2. James Hadfield 3. Dom Hardman 4. Olamide Sodeke 5. Kaden Pearce-Paul
- Tino Mapapalangi 7. Karl Main 8. Lekima Ravuvu 9. Charlie Bracken 10. Josh Barton (c) 11. Brandon Jackson 12. Fraser Strachan 13. Josh Hallett 14. Vereimi Qorowale 15. Oran McNulty
Replacements:
- James Issacs 17. James Flynn 18. Harvey Beaton 19. Kennedy Sylvester 20. Barney Merrett
- Rory Morgan 22. Angus Hall 23. Byron Sharwood
Whilst the 1st XV are busy at home, Gav Williams takes his 1881 side to Richmond Saxons looking to build on last weeks 47-29 opening week win against Esher Cardinals in the Halbro-Raging Bull Shield.
1881 to play Richmond Saxons (A). 1:30 kick off.
- Harrison Courtney 2. Jordon Liney 3. Fin Bloomer 4. Jake Parkinson 5. Aidan King
- Oskar Hicks 7. Ben Billington 8. Aaron Gear 9. Roan Frostwick (c) 10. Evan Mitchell 11. Mason Cullen 12. Tom Barton 13. Benjy Joseland 14. Wilson Ijeh 15. Fin Parker
Replacements
- Noah Fawcett 17. Jack Spurr 18. Noah Ransome 19. Declan Murphy 20. Bryn Williamson
- Joe Adams 22. Will Howes 23. Henry Sweeney 24. Archie English