‘Everyone knows TJs are the team to beat’

Guernsey passed their Canterbury test with flying colours a week ago with their 41-23 victory at Footes Lane and now they will look to carry that momentum into this weekend’s clash with the only other side remaining in National Two East with a perfect four bonus-point wins from four record, Tonbridge Juddians.

‘TJs are off to a flying start, but as far as we’re concerned, we’re pretty happy with where we’re at at the moment and see this as a great opportunity to test ourselves on the road against the league leaders,’ said Guernsey director of rugby Jordan Reynolds.

‘We think there’s a couple of little weaknesses we have identified that we could potentially exploit, but we know it’s going to be tough. Playing away from home is never easy, but it is something we are looking forward to.

‘Everyone knows TJs are the team to beat and a good thing is we will get another shot at them this season, but talking with the boys this week, there is a fair bit of confidence in what we are doing.

‘Most of the time going into a game like this you can start to over-think things, but we feel the way we played last week is strong enough to challenge anyone.’

His performance in that victory over Canterbury last week saw Charlie Simmonds named as National Two East’s player of the week and Reynolds praised the way his fly-half continues to improve.

‘Off the back of Havant, where we probably didn’t have our best game management-wise, I thought both our half-backs’ game management against Canterbury was excellent and Charlie is constantly developing that aspect of his game, which is great to see.’

There is one change to the Raiders backline with the unavailable Ethan Smith replaced by Jack Colbourne on the wing.

In the pack, co-captain Dom Rice returns with Liam Welch moving to the bench where he is joined by Tom Ceillam, who has served his suspension following his red card on the opening day of the season.

Guernsey could come up against a familiar face in Hugo Culverhouse tomorrow, although injury has limited his game time so far since his move to TJs.

The powerful forward was one of several new signings the leaders made over the summer.

‘TJs have got a fairly new squad, they are going to be a quality outfit, especially at home, but despite the personnel changes they play similar to what they did last season,’ Reynolds said.

‘They do not want to get into a battle in the tight, they get the ball to the edges as quickly as possible, so it will be a different encounter to the last few games, though it is nothing new to us because TJs have not changed much in their approach over the years and we have been going toe-to-toe with them for quite a while.’

Guernsey Raiders team

Sam Steventon, James Burger, Martinas Dromantas, Lewis Hillier, Carter Hackett, Matt Creber, Dom Rice, Josh Poullet, Sam Boyland, Charlie Simmonds, Jack Colbourne, John Dawe, Ciaran McGann, Anthony Armstrong, Callum Roberts. Replacements: Tom Ceillam, Charlie Currie, Liam Welch, Niall McGann, Charlie Davies.