JERSEY RFC’s much-acclaimed National League generation will reunite to take on Guernsey’s veterans – boasting over 2,000 first-team caps and a former England international.
Matt Banahan has been coaxed out of retirement for the 2022 Nash Cup and will play at outside centre, alongside a host of players deemed responsible for the club’s eventual rise into the Championship.
Player-coach Steve O’Brien will lead the Caesareans for a high-profile precursor to the showpiece Siam Cup clash, with the likes of Latu Maka’afi, Talite Vaioleti and Nathan Hannay all due to return.
Maka’afi and O’Brien both scored in Jersey’s Siam victory at Footes Lanes in 2006 – the year Banahan last played for the Island.
‘I started my career with these boys, when we played amateur rugby. We all come into sport as an amateur, playing with your mates, so to come back and play with them, it’s a good feeling.’
The former Bath back, who sits seventh on the Premiership’s all-time try-scoring chart, with 71, was also approached by Reds Athletic coach Myles Landick for the Siam fixture.
‘I’m not up for taking it that serious any more,’ Banahan added. ‘I’m sure the boys will do well.’
The Nash Cup is due to kick off at 10.30am on Saturday morning. It will be followed by the Women’s Siam at 12.30pm and the men’s Siam at 3pm.
