Australian Ryan Hodson will lead the side in Rae’s absence, and he’ll team up with compatriot Nick Haining to form an exciting back row that’s already impressed in pre-season.
Argentinian international Martin Garcia-Veiga has been given the number two jersey and will have loosehead Sam Lockwood and tighthead Harry Williams alongside him in the front row, while Pierce Phillips and Dave Markham have been rewarded for their pre-season efforts with berths in the second row. Tongan Paula Kaho will start at number eight with former Leicester Tigers man Michael Noone named as a replacement.
There’s no place in the starting line-up for either of last season’s preferred half-back pairing, as Nicky Griffiths starts on the bench and Aaron Penberthy is omitted from the squad completely. Ryan Glynn will begin at scrum half, while Jonny Bentley, who scored at St Peter last Saturday, will start at stand-off.
Lewis Robling and Drew Locke will start at inside and outside centre respectively, while Mark Foster and Jerseyman Ed Dawson have been selected on the wings. Another summer signing who’s impressed in pre-season Tommy Bell will play fullback meaning there’s no place in the match-day 22 for JRFC Academy product Jack Burroughs.
Full report in Friday’s JEP.
