JERSEY RUGBY CLUB seek another away victory on Saturday at Gosport and Fareham, in their second London South West Division II fixture, with coach Dai Burton exuding great confidence in his squad, writes Chris Lake.

Last weekend Gosport lost 45-22 to Sutton and Epsom, mainly because the opposition forwards drove them off the ball,’ he said.

‘Meanwhile our forwards enjoyed a good battle against Old Midwhitgiftians, and in Gareth Davies and Mark Peters we can bring on weight and experience, to add a little more ferocity in the game if we need to.

And Huw Thomas, who played at prop last week, had a good game.

He can play either at tighthead or loose.’ There are, as always, however, regular 1st teamers unable to play.

Half-backs Paul Nayar and Darren Toudic are unavailable because they are both at weddings while Simon Nevitt and Matt Davenport-Brown are still injured.

Jim Milner is also unavailable for the next two weeks.

Steve Mee and Jon Swift take over the roles of scrum-half and stand-off respectively, and Dave Carswell and Mark White stay wide on the wing.

The pace is provided by Gareth Jeffreys at full-back, with Ross Allan and Steve O’Brien, ever-reliable in the tackle, retain their places at centre.

So, on what could be a hot day and away from home, the battle of the forwards will probably determine the outcome.

‘We haven’t played them for about four years, I think,’ added Burton.

‘But from what I can remember, their forwards played it very tight.

The first 20 minutes will be very important and, after that, hopefully we can give good ball to the backs.’ Still unbeaten after 18 months of league rugby, this game will be a test of character for Burton’s team.

Even so, his gamble on having at his command a choice of 11 forwards, if he needs to change them around, is a brave one and, as always, he has done his homework.

‘Last week Gosport were being pushed off their own ball at the put-in,’ he said.

‘I hope that our pack can do the same to them again on Saturday.’ Team: Marcus Nobes, Josh Chamier, Jim Brimelow, Ian Henderson, Roger Quirk, John Allo, Richie Griffiths, Will Grant, Steve Mee, Jon Swift, Dave Carswell , Steve O’Brien (captain), Ross Allan, Mark White, Gareth Jeffreys.

Reserves: Jamie Allan, Mark Peters, Gareth Davies, Huw Thomas.

Insinger De Beaufort support Jersey RFC.

Other fixtures (Sunday, both friendlies): Jersey United Banks v Les Quennevais, 1pm.

Jersey II v Beeches 3 pm.

Both at St Peter.