PROVIDING Jersey’s backs are given enough ball today, for the first time this season spectators at the Rugby Club, St Peter, should be in for a treat.

Although coach Dai Burton is cautious about yet more changes to his 1st XV for their 2.30 pm game against Alton, with Gareth Jeffreys on one wing and Justin Thomas on the other, he has real pace in the threes.’We’re getting there,’ he said, cautiously, when asked if he was pleased with his three-quarter line-up.’We’ve still got an injury scare with Richie (Griffiths), who’ll have a late fitness test before the game, but we proved in the last ten minutes of last week’s game that we can run the ball from anywhere, even from our own 22.’If we secure the ball up front, the ball must go wide.

We cannot ignore the wingers.’We also have Arnou (Helmholt-Kneisel) on the bench if we want to play a different type of game.’I'm not taking anything away from Alton, but they play nine- or ten-man rugby.

Their danger man is their scrum-half, a stocky Welsh boy, who’s quite aggressive, and scored three tries against Chobham last week.’It will be a war of attrition up front, but I’ve a good side, who can play good rugby.’Also on the bench is Andy Whelan, another impact player if they need him, although as always there are absentees; this time from the pack, where prop Jon Brennan and No 6 John Allo are missing, off-Island, and Kenny Moore is out through injury.In terms of possession, the game could hinge on the Island side’s front row, which will be tested from the start – but all being well Jersey will hold their own.Burton is also pleased that, for the first time this season, flanker Paul Maltby will be in the team from the start.’He’s played well in the 2nds,’ he said, ‘and deserves his call-up.

As long as we mix the game up, and give our wingers the ball in space, I’m confident we’ll win.’On Sunday Jersey 2nds play Les Quennevais at Les Quennevais with a 2.30 pm kick-off while at Grainville Jersey United Banks meet Guernsey 2nds at 1 pm.

Both games are in the Emeraude Lines JRA league as is the Wanderers game against Guernsey St Jacques in Guernsey.Team: Marcus Nobes, Josh Chamier, John Larose, Danny McAllister, Paul Woodcock, Paul Maltby, Ian Henderson (captain), Steve O’Brien, Dave Miles, Phil Walker, Gareth Jeffreys, Richie Griffiths, Dave Carswell, Justin Thomas, Mark White.

Replacements: Scott Barnes, Andy Whelan, Arnou Helmholt-Kneisel.