Front row's safety was priority in Siam discussions
SAFETY in the scrum was Guernsey's primary concern when addressing the new eligibility criteria for the Siam Cup, according to director of rugby Jordan Reynolds.
The Jersey Rugby Club confirmed this week that they have agreed to field a squad selected from players who have played for them for a minimum of three seasons, with JRFC chairman Bill Dempsey commenting: 'We appreciate the recent challenges regarding the competitiveness of the Siam Cup, with a three-division gap in the levels at which both clubs play their league rugby. We hope that the eligibility rules for this year's contest will lead to a really good game.'
Reynolds said that, with the Jersey first team now plying their trade in the second-tier of English rugby, the main basis for change as far as he is concerned is the safety of the front row.
'We have less-experienced front-row guys who have had only a handful of games in National Three and they find that very competitive and to put them in against pro players from the Championship would be stupid from our point of view,' he said.
'The physicality that comes into rugby can be quite dangerous at times.
'We do not want to be putting anyone in harm's way and thankfully Jersey understood where we're coming from.
'Both club committees have come to the conclusion that there have to be changes and big steps forward have been taken.
'Jersey will still be able to play around 11 pros, so there will still be a lot of quality in their side and they will be favourites in the Siam as they always have been.'
