The Island club are set to travel to the StoneX Stadium on Saturday 13 March to face the newly-relegated giants, having been handed a first-week bye in the much-delayed, restructured 2020/21 campaign.
Following London Scottish’s withdrawal due to concerns over the estimated £80,000-per-month cost of testing – when UK government funding was not confirmed – second-tier officials have scrapped their original adapted format, which grouped the clubs into two conferences of six. Instead, the 11 remaining sides will play each other once, including five randomly selected home games.
However, to improve their chances of receiving a green light from the Government of Jersey, the Reds have relinquished home advantage to both Richmond and Doncaster Knights, meaning they will play just three games at St Peter this term.
Health officials are due to meet this week to assess the risks of Jersey’s involvement, while discussing Covid-19 regulations for the players, coaches and staff who will travel across the Channel from Nottingham, Coventry and Cornish Pirates in April and May. If approved, it is understood that all visiting clubs will be required to travel in and out of Jersey in a day.
Reds chairman Mark Morgan said: ‘As part of our willingness to be flexible in order to get the season started, we are willing to accept a 3:7 split of home and away games and are grateful to both Richmond and Doncaster Knights for helping us reach an understanding about hosting us on the weekends when they were due to fly to Jersey.
‘We have been working closely with the Government of Jersey and understand the need to make sure all necessary precautions are taken. There are still some remaining details to be finalised, but we are hopeful this process will be completed soon.’
Jersey’s early trip to Saracens means Reds fans will not see their club take on England internationals Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jamie George and the Vunipola brothers, as they will all still be on Six Nations duty. Without those big names, Saracens have lost twice to Ealing Trailfinders in pre-season, with their latest defeat featuring three formers Reds in the shape of Richard Barrington, Janco Venter and Alec Clarey.
With a considerable number of games due to be played behind closed doors plans are in place to stream the action live online, although Morgan hopes supporters will be able to walk through the gates at Stade Santander before the season ends.
‘We would love to think we might be able to have our supporters back by the time the Pirates visit us at the end of May,’ he added. ‘We won’t be able to confirm that for some time, but it’s a nice prospect as long as the recovery from the pandemic continues.’
Following the final weekend of league action on 29 May, the top two will meet in a two-leg promotion play-off on 12 and 19 June.
Jersey Reds’ Championship fixtures – 2020/21
Weekend 6/7 Mar: Bye; 13/14 Mar: Saracens (A); 20/21 Mar: Richmond (A*); 27/28 Mar: Bedford Blues (A); 10/11 Apr: Doncaster Knights (A*); 17/18 Apr: Ealing Trailfinders (A); 24/25 Apr: Nottingham Rugby (H); 1/2 May: Ampthill (A); 15/16 May: Coventry Rugby (H); 22/23 May: Hartpury University (A); 29 May: Cornish Pirates (H); 12-13: Championship Final (1st leg); 19-20: Championship Final (2nd leg).
*Reds’ home game switched to opponents’ ground
