Revised plans to stage a double-header in May 2021 have now themselves been altered due to ongoing uncertainties relating to Covid-19, with Guernsey instead set to stage the twice-rescheduled first-XV ‘Centenary Siam’ on Saturday 28 August.
There is hope that the women’s Siam, second-XV Fallaize Cup and veterans’ Nash Cup can also take place, before all four teams play again as part of a proposed home-and-away double-header in May 2022.
Landick, head coach of Jersey’s top amateur side, Reds Athletic, said: ‘This gives us a slightly different perspective moving forward, with a goal in place.
‘We will have to try and organise a fixture before we play that game, but over the next couple of months we will just try to get the lads together and get some rugby in them. Then we’ll have time off again, before coming back slightly earlier than normal for pre-season to start our preparation.’
The shift into pre-season for the 2021/22 campaign could well rule out most, if not all of Jersey’s eligible professionals [with three years’ residency], but Landick is more concerned about how his Athletic squad will shape up after what will have been an 17-month break.
‘There is no point worrying about [eligibility of club professionals] at the moment because we are still a long way off,’ he said.
‘The big issue after this is seeing where we are with Athletic players. Some might decide they want more of a break, if they’re enjoying not playing at the moment. I’m not saying they are, but there could be some in that situation. We’ll see who’s left after all of this but hopefully we’ll be able to get a decent group of lads together and go from there.’
Landick added: ‘Yes, the Siam is a good goal but the main thing for us as an Athletic squad is to get back on track and make sure we’re prepared for our league season [in the Raging Bull Shield]. The Siam will be perfect preparation … a perfect way to start it all off.’
