Box calls for win and entertainment

ROB BOX has challenged his side to entertain their home supporters at Foote's Lane tomorrow. The Guernsey Rugby Club head coach admitted that the London Four South-West leaders have gone off the boil since the turn of the year and he wants that rectified against bottom side Romsey.

'The general consensus in the squad is that we need to go out and perform in front of our home crowd,' said Box.

'Since Christmas we have not done that. It is not about who's come in and who's gone out because the players we have got are still very good, we are just doing a few things wrong at the moment. But we have got it in us to turn things around quickly.'

The coach pointed specifically to his side's work in the ruck area where, he said, they have 'been stopping, which gives us slow ball.

'We have got a fast set of backs and we need quick ball to utilise that, so we are trying to put that right at the moment in training.'

The coach will delay selecting his starting XV until as close to kick-off as possible because he is waiting on a couple of fitness tests, particularly to full-back Jim Elliott who has an ankle problem.

However, Box will be forced into some changes from the side that defeated Old Paulines last weekend, 13-12.

Matt Morgan has a knee injury and is waiting to see a specialist while Lee Whatman is unavailable.

'Jim Regnard will move to number eight. He is a running number eight, a good passer of the ball and has got great all-round ability so he gives us different options,' Box said.

'Andy Yabsley will come into the second row and give us stability there.

He will partner Jon Flynn, who had a cracking game last week.

'I have brought in a new South African scrum-half, Divan Crouse, to have a look at with Lee Whatman out of the team and Louw Brand should step in if Jim Elliott does not make it.'

One other definite change will see Darren Jones, one of Guernsey's more underrated players, return to the back row after injury.

On paper, playing Romsey, a team that has won two of 14 games this campaign, at home should be one of Guernsey's easier challenges this season but back in September they gave the Sarnians a decent game before eventually succumbing 29-16.

Box, for one, is taking nothing for granted.

'What people have to remember is Romsey came here two years ago and took our unbeaten home record off us when we were both in Hampshire One,' he said.

'I am confident we can get the two points, but I am just not sure how we are going to do it because we are unpredictable at the moment.'

Kick-off is at 1.30pm