And, as a consequence, the head coach has included five Jerseymen in his 22-man team set to face Guernsey RFC at St Peter.
10 am: Jersey Wanderers v Guernsey Vets (Nash Cup) SP1.
12 pm: Jersey II v Guernsey II (Fallaize Cup) SP1.
1 pm: Jersey Ladies v Guernsey Ladies (Ladies Siam Cup) SP4.
3 pm: Jersey v Guernsey (Siam Cup) SP1.
With the hosts on the hunt for their seventh successive Siam win, current contract holders Ed Dawson and Jack Burroughs will start at left wing and fullback respectively, while last year’s triumphant skipper Jon Brennan returns at tighthead.
Named among the replacements are other Jersey Athletic regulars – and former first team players – Nick Trower and Ross Allan, the latter a former professional with Plymouth Albion.
Biljon, who has led the Reds to their highest ever placing in the English leagues this season, believes it is vitally important to have strong Jersey representation on Siam Cup day.
‘They will explain to the other guys just what this match is about,’ explained the South African, on the eve of his first home Siam clash.
He added: ‘If you take a player like Jon Brennan … he led the team out in Guernsey last year, was aware he was coming towards the end of his career but had to go above and beyond the call of duty this season by turning out for the first team.
‘It will be a fantastic send-off for his contribution to be recognised one last time at St Peter in a home Siam Cup match.’
Also included in tomorrow’s match-day squad are eight individuals who will be making their final appearance for the Islanders. London Welsh-bound forward Ryan Hodson – who won both the players’ and coaches’ player of the year awards this term – will begin at openside flanker, while departing PK Kaho is handed the No8 jersey.
David Bishop and Tobias Hoskins, neither of whom have been signed on for next term, will start in the midfield, while also bidding farewell to St Peter are Harry Williams, Drew Locke and Jonny Bentley, who are all named as replacements. Fellow departee Ryan Glynn had originally been named as scrum-half, but is now ruled out through injury.
‘This match is a separate occasion from the rest of our season and it gives us an opportunity to say farewell to a few of the guys. I think it’s the right thing to do – to give these guys the chance to put the shirt on one last time and get presented a Siam tie.’
When asked if the fixture provides the unique opportunity for a squad stabilising in the Championship to win some silverware, Biljon said: ‘It’s not something I’ve thought about too much.
‘We’re a side in transition so, in terms of Championship silverware, we’re still a long way off. But any time you lift a trophy it’s a special occasion and so it’s an opportunity our players will definitely enjoy, if we get the win.’
The match kicks-off at 3 pm.
Jersey RFC
1 Nacho Lancuba, 2 Nick Selway, 3 Jon Brennan, 4 Nick Campbell, 5 Dave Markham, 6 Alex Rae (c), 7 Ryan Hodson, 8 PK Kaho, 9 Ryan Glynn, 10 Aaron Penberthy, 11 Ed Dawson, 12 David Bishop, 13 Tobias Hoskins, 14 Tua Otto, 15 Jack Burroughs. Replacements: Sam Lockwood, Martin Garcia-Veiga, Harry Williams, Nick Trower, Joel Dudley, Drew Locke, Jonny Bentley, Ross Allan.
Jersey Athletic
1 Jacob Carter, 2 Stephen de Ste Croix, 3 Carl Haitana, 4 Harry Chinn, 5 Richard Vetier, 6 Bryn Edwards, 7 Tim Corson, 8 Kaisa Leota, 9 Sion Williams, 10 Charlie Hubert, 11 Adam Spencer, 12 Jason Hosty ( C ), 13 Simon Johnson, 14 Daniel Lezala, 15 Sam Fuller. Replacements: Harrison Berresford, Andrew Pitcher, David Day, Chris Voss, Dominic Mayo, Alex Jeffery.
Jersey Veterans
1 Daniel Curzons (C), 2 Howard Phillips, 3 Guy Holvey-Clarke, 4 Ian Henderson, 5 Alex Walker, 6 Peter Howarth, 7 Craig Simeon, 8 Ivan Murphy, 9 Arnou Helmholt-Kneisel, 10 Phil Walker, 11 James Milner, 12 Henry Brands-Gieson, 13 Aiden O-Flanagan, 14 Gary Hotton, 15 Gareth Jeffries. Replacements: Steve Carter, Paul Kempster Ed O’Brien, Paul Maltby, William Church, Bob Humphreys, Matt Davenport-Brown, Ian Troy.
Jersey Ladies
1 Cara Mackay, 2 Emma Connolly, 3 Beth Rosser, 4 Kimberley Valance, 5 Jo Butters, 6 Chloë Vaughan, 7 Gisselle Gosselin, 8 Laura Poingdestre, 9 Lauren Lowe, 10 Una O’Murchu, 11 Sapphire de la Haye, 12 Linda Marie, 13 Rosie Corbett (c), 14 Mary Surcouf, 15 Natasha Eastwood. Replacements: Elsa Moya, Jen Redman, Ann Brien, Marine Simon, Tracey Da Costa, Jade Knight, Sara Felton.
