JERSEY REDS’ players will be keen to strike if Ealing show signs of shaking under pressure on Saturday, as the Londoners attempt to regain control of the Championship in time for Christmas.
The Islanders, who have lost ten games in a row to their title rivals, sit three points clear going into the final round of fixtures for 2022, courtesy of a tenth win from ten last weekend and the postponement of Trailfinders’ trip to Caldy.
Ealing will be confident of taking maximum points from that game in hand and remain favourites to top the table at the end of the campaign, but Harvey Biljon’s men are certainly capable of capitalising on a below par performance.
‘Pressure does funny things,’ said the director of rugby. ‘If that pressure does come for them then let’s see how it unfolds.
‘I think they’re still pretty confident. They’re favourites and ultimately they’re probably chasing something a little bit different to us. Although we have got the points on the board a lot will come down to how it goes [tomorrow].’
Discussing the week his squad has had at St Peter, and the four changes he has made to the team that walloped Bedford Blues last Saturday, Biljon added: ‘We’ve tried to keep everything the same, as always, from a preparation point of view. It’s another game the players want to perform in but we do understand that there is some excitement and anticipation around the game.
‘We have spoken about making sure we celebrate 2022. It’s the last time we’re going to play this year and we’re proud of everything we’ve achieved to date, and the hard work we’ve put in. Let’s not leave anything behind and sign off making sure we’ve done everything we can to perform well and do everyone proud.
‘We have debated four or five positions at length but we’ve picked the right team for Ealing. It won’t be a game that’s won early so we will need contribution from everyone. And that’s not forgetting the players who have helped us prepare this week who won’t be with us in the squad.
‘It’s going to be difficult, given the travel disruptions and how many strikes are going on at the moment. The players are going to have to show their resilience.’
