Ampthill Head Coach Paul Turner takes his side to the Ellgia Field for the first time in a Championship fixture in the final game of the season.
After a break week following the defeat to Hartpury in the final home fixture, Turner makes six changes to the starting fifteen for this “Mob 2024 Last Dance”.
James Flynn comes into the front row alongside hooker Samson Adejimi and tighthead James Johnston. Griff Evans partners fellow Welshman Iwan Shenton in a new engine room pairing whilst in the back row Josh Smart and Izzy Moore Aiono start either side of club captain Morgan Strong.
Turner makes a single change in the back division. Charlie Bracken and Gwyn Parks combine in the halfbacks – Parks looking to consolidate his position as one of the leagues top kickers. Fraser Strachan and Oli Morris provide the cover in midfield whilst Francis Moore comes into the back three replacing Tobias Elliot. Brandon Jackson goes into the game as the clubs joint top try-scorer with in-form Tom Bacon again at full back.
Samoan back row Sam Asotasi is included in the match day twenty-three for the first time since the Premiership Rugby Cup fixture against Newcastle Falcons in September.
Ahead of the game Turner said “Cambridge strengths are well known – they have a decent set piece, a good scrum and have shown they can score tries at this level. It’s a big game to end the season, another local derby and both teams will want to finish the season on a high. We’ll need an 80 minute performance to get the result we want to give our supporters who have been great this year”
Starting XV:
15. Tom Bacon 14. Francis Moore 13. Oli Morris 12. Fraser Strachan 11. Brandon Jackson 10. Gwyn Parks 9. Charlie Bracken 1. James Flynn 2. Samson Adejimi 3. James Johnston 4. Iwan Shenton 5. Griff Evans 6. Josh Smart 7. Izzy Moore-Aiono 8. Morgan Strong (c)
Replacements:
16.Dom Hardman 17. Zac Nearchou 18. Harvey Beaton 19. Ben Chapman 20. Sam Asotasi 21. Pete White 22. Josh Skelcey 23. Ollie Dawkins
