Vikings better than last year heading into Fallaize Cup clash
FIVE Guernsey players are set to make their Fallaize Cup debuts tomorrow when the trophy is contested on home soil for the first time since 2018.
St Jacques Vikings will be wearing the green-and-white hoops as they take on Jersey RFC Seconds, who won the trophy last year when it returned to the Siam Cup weekend schedule following a three-year absence.
A late surge saw them claim the spoils 41-26.
Vikings head into tomorrow’s contest on the back of a strong season which saw them earn back-to-back promotions.
Crucially, they have faced more challenging league contests this campaign, which should hold them in good stead to face Jersey according to head coach Ray Smart.
‘After playing some tougher games this season, it has helped make us a better side now than we were this time last year,’ he said.
‘When looking back at the footage away in Jersey and how we are playing now, I can see big differences in individual players and as a group. We are much better prepared for the game on Saturday.
‘We’ve picked a strong squad, we had some difficult selection calls but we’ll have a strong bench as well. I think we’re going to be three or four players stronger than last year, as well as individual players developing this season,’ added Smart.
Talismanic back-rower Mitchell Smith will captain the Vikings for this huge clash, fresh from making his debut for Hampshire last weekend against Sussex.
He is joined in the forwards by his brother Jacob, who has arguably been the star performer for the Vikings this season. He starts in the second-row with Tom Creed, one of the biggest leaders in the side.
In the back row, strong addition Dan de Kock joins his captain and also Angus MacCallum, who has impressed since moving to the island this year and made his debut for the Raiders recently.
Smart has opted for some of his strongest scrummaging options in the front row, with Darrin Bellingham, Phil Le Noury and Tom Bray named.
A familiar face returns in the backs as local academy product Ben Holland, who has been playing in New Zealand, comes in to replace the injured Pierre de Garis and he will partner Dan Rice in the half-backs.
Following their recent marathon exploits, Taylor Quate and Joe Le Roux are back in the side at centre and wing respectively, with Tom Veillard joining Quate in the midfield.
Will Forbes-Lee, who has had his game-time restricted by injuries and unavailability this season, will be on the other wing and Gearoid Lee will start at fullback.
The bench has several impact players, including JP Phelan and Jack Webber.
James Mroch, Keiran Williamson, Chris Croft and Will Creber make up the remainder of the reinforcements.
The Fallaize Cup kicks off at 11.45am.
Guernsey Fallaize Cup team
Darrin Bellingham, Phil Le Noury, Tom Bray, Tom Creed, Jacob Smith, Angus MacCallum*, Dan de Kock*, Mitchell Smith (c), Ben Holland, Dan Rice, Joe Le Roux, Tom Veillard, Taylor Quate, Will Forbes-Lee*, Gearoid Lee
Replacements: James Mroch, JP Phelan*, Keiran Williamson, Chris Croft, Jack Webber, Will Creber*
*denotes Fallaize Cup debut
