Guernsey objects to Penberthy’s selection

The fly-half will start today’s match at St Peter having returned to Jersey this season following a two-year stint at Ealing Trailfinders.

He had previously been with Jersey and has played in the Siam Cup before.

However, the Guernsey Rugby Club have objected to his inclusion on the grounds that the eligibility criteria were three years’ continous residency for professionals to play in the Siam.

‘This is not the first time that Jersey have flouted their own eligibility criteria and along with a lot of speculation in 2018 about cash payments being made for professionals to appear, this is yet another manifestation of Jersey’s lack of respect for Guernsey’s Level 4/5 players who are all employed with day jobs outside of rugby,’ said Charles McHugh, the Guernsey Rugby Club chairman.

‘The history of the Siam Cup is being damaged by such poor sportsmanship and high-handed flouting of the agreed criteria.’

In reply, Jersey Rugby Club president Cliff Chipperfield said: ‘We’re very disappointed that the Guernsey chairman has adopted these tactics and detracted from the build-up to the traditional end-of-season contest between the rival islands.

‘The guidelines agreed between the clubs in 2016 cover three seasons’ eligibility for Reds’ professionals and there has never been any reference to continuous residence. This new arrangement has resulted in excellent contests for each of the last three Siams.

‘Aaron Penberthy is the second longest-serving of our professional players and will be playing in his third Siam Cup.’

Speaking before Guernsey made their objection, Jersey coach Myles Landick admitted that defeat was tough to take last year, but added that being able to call upon professionals Penberthy, Jack Macfarlane, Apakuki Ma’afu, George Eastwell and departing captain Nick Selway will, the hosts hope, bring out the best in their teammates from the club’s Athletic team.

‘We said after the game to the players, you feel that once and you never want to feel it again so that’s certainly been a driving force for us,’ said Landick of last year’s defeat.

‘I know we have improved, but I think they have too. They played in a really tough league this season and still picked up some good wins, so it will be a real close game and a fantastic spectacle.

‘I think we have got a really good mix of pros, having three backs and two forwards.

‘Aaron [Penberthy] at 10 will really steady the ship and keep our structure, and just being able to call upon their ability is excellent.

‘Every year they [Guernsey] come out with something about the pros playing. Last year we could’ve had five but for logistical reasons we only had three, we didn’t moan about it and got on with it and they won fair and square – we were poor on the day and they were the better side.

‘Always around the Siam there are some words said, we haven’t really said anything because we just want to focus on ourselves and want to avoid the drama that’s coming out.’

Guernsey head coach Jordan Reynolds acknowledged that Jersey will always field a strong squad, but added that the mix-and-match of pros and amateurs might break up some established combinations.

‘The biggest difference is that they don’t select from consistency,’ he said.

‘We’ve got a fair idea what they do, line-out wise and stuff like that, but at the same time you can do all the analysis on a side as much as you can, but you have got to put it on the park, so we haven’t done a huge amount.

‘They probably have because our footage is actually online and that’s fine, we’re probably not going to change a whole lot, we’re just really keen to get stuck in.’