Fears that Matt Banahan would be missing due to Hampshire U20 committments were allayed earlier this week and the giant forward’s presence is a great boost for the quarter-final clash.
Coaches Mick Curzons, Mick Mayo and Bob Shambrook know, however, that the real key to success could be attitude.
Said Curzons: ‘It could come down to the tackling.
If they tackle like they did against Leicester Vipers they should be all right.
‘We supplied four of the 2nds pack against Banks last week so we should be strong up front and a few of the others have also experienced senior rugby.’ Curzons is aware that two Basingstoke players were selected for the national divisional trials – a great achievement, matched by Jersey in the shape of captain Ross Kenwright and Banahan – and he is not being fooled by reports of a below-par peformance by the Hampshire side at Chobham.
‘Their top men were missing for that match, but they should be back on Sunday, so we’ll need to be at our best.’ Jersey won their recent tour match against the Vipers 15-8, but only after a tremendous effort, while Basingstoke disposed of Southampton in the previous round.
Awaiting the winners, on 6 March, is an away semi-final against hot favourites Portsmouth.
Jersey’s squad, which has promoted U16s Spencer Adams and Stephan Metcalfe to cover at hooker and scrum-half, is: Ross Kenwright, Dominic Band, Matt Banahan, Michael Soley, Wayne Boschat, Bruno Pirouet, Carl Gavey, Kevin Quénault, Ryan Morgan, Jamie Allan, John Felton, Lee Cornish, Tom Le Sauteur, Karl Hayes, David Carpenter, Phil Matete, Luke Guillou, Luc Mathew, Jack Le Brun, Phil Laine, Spencer Adams and Stephan Metcalfe.
Jersey RFC’s Ross Allan and Josh Chamier are in the Hampshire squad for their opening national U20 County Championship match against Sussex at Trojans RFC tomorrow.
Allan lines-up at centre, while Chamier is on the bench covering for the front row.
Sussex have already beaten Surrey 17-15.
n Jersey RFC Youth are sponsored by Moore Management.
