JERSEY RFC have been crying out for a test of their metal.
Beaten just once to date across two league campaigns, Myles Landick’s red machine continues to fine tune itself as time ticks on.
However, they welcome undoubtedly their biggest test yet, when Caldy RFC 2nd XV come to town tomorrow.
The affair may be dubbed as a friendly, but to both of these sides, it is anything but.
The Merseyside powerhouse’s first team currently occupy tenth in the RFU Championship, the very league won by the now-extinct Jersey Reds in their last campaign.
Caldy faced second-placed Cornish Pirates last weekend, and 11 of the faces from that squad join up with the ‘Ravens’ 2nd XV to take on Jersey at CoinShares Park.
If the first team has pedigree, it’s safe to say that their 2nds are no slouches – to drastically understate it.
Since the pandemic, they are yet to lose a league fixture – 56 straight wins across nearly three seasons of play.
Meanwhile, Jersey have won 39 of their 40 since entering the English rugby union system. That’s 95 victories to one loss between the sides.
This duel promises to be a fascinating tussle on the St Peter turf.
Former Jersey Red Jack Macfarlane knows a thing or two about Championship opposition, and his transition to the amateur side has provided valuable experience to the pack up front.
“These are the sort of tests that really help to show where we currently stand,” said the forward.
“They are probably going to bring something quite different to the teams we have played so far this year.
“It was a fixture we played last year before the Siam and it served as perfect prep for us.
“They brought added edge and when we did play Guernsey, it was a similar test and we felt ready for it.
“It serves as an important fixture for a couple of reasons.
“Obviously the Siam is in mind, but it’s also about exposing this team to different things and helping everyone progress.
“We have developed so much throughout the year, but you can’t stand still.
“It’s how you continue to learn that defines you and I really believe tomorrow is a key part of that building process.”
The hallowed Siam Cup might still be eight weeks away, but the preparation is in full swing, as it was this time last year.
Jersey tasted success over their historic rivals on that occasion and Macfarlane, despite not being Jersey born, knows what the fixture means to the Caesarean community.
The Scot continued: “You can see the change of intensity come the back end of the season. Mylo [Landick] knows the Siam is a tough prospect and fixtures like tomorrow’s goes a long way.
“It is a weird feeling. The pride felt for Jersey really does rub off on all the rugby players that stay here for long periods.
“We are immersed by it and you can just tell by the effort in and around the squad over the past couple of weeks, that an important game is on the horizon.”
Action from CoinShares Park is set to get underway at 2.30pm.
Jersey RFC [1-15]: Joe Ridgway, Jack Macfarlane, Tom Wilson, Euan Spencer, Jerry Sexton, Evan Whitson (c), Tim Corson, George Willmott, Max Harrington, Aaron Penberthy, Tom Bulfin, Dom Mayo, Scott Van Breda, Sam Harvey, Charlie Hubert. Replacements: George Thomas, Tom Tilstone, Nathan Thomas, Cameron Halliwell, Jacques de la Bat.
