HARRY DOOLAN has ‘credit in the bank’ following his try-scoring full debut for Jersey Reds – and enough of it to warrant a second consecutive start for the Championship outfit.
The Jersey-born hooker looks set to keep hold of the number two shirt for Saturday’s league trip to Hartpury, having produced a convincing performance at Nottingham which helped the Islanders take a temporary hold of top spot in the second tier.
Director of rugby Harvey Biljon has once again placed his faith in the 20-year-old former Les Quennevais School student, ahead of in-form Eoghan Clarke and the now injury-free Jack Macfarlane.
‘He did very well,’ said Biljon of Doolan’s first competitive start for the professional side, which included two touchdowns.
‘One of the best things was to see how enthused all the other players in the squad were about his performance and the encouragement he got. And everyone enjoyed his moments with him, when he scored. After all the hard work he’s put in he thoroughly deserved that first Championship start and his performance has given us confidence to put him in the team again.’
Macfarlane – previously a mainstay in the Reds squad – is available following a long-term lay-off, although fellow front-row contender TJ Harris remains sidelined.
‘Unfortunately for Jack, Eoghan has been excellent and Harry has got some credit in the bank now,’ Biljon added. ‘It’s a tough selection, but it’s where coaches want to be.’
Full preview in Friday’s JEP.
