JERSEY RFC Academy U18s defend their County Cup title again tomorrow.

With many of the squad having played a part in winning the club’s first county trophy last season and then reaching the last 16 of the national U19s Plate this term, they will be determined to put on a good show away to Havant RFC, traditionally one of the county’s strongest clubs.

Certainly last weekend’s thrilling defeat against Exeter Chiefs in the national competition should have lifted the level of their game, but with the older players having to stand down this weekend it undoubtedly remains a tough task.

But Jersey, who could be boosted by a possible return by full-back Alistair Dickson, still have considerable fire power in a squad that will be captained by Mark Livesey.

Jersey advanced from round-one with an 8-6 win away win over Andover, while Havant, beaten by Jersey in the semi-final stages last year, progressed with a 33-7 win over Vectis from the Isle of Man.

The prize for success would be a return meeting next weekend with Gosport and Fareham, the side Jersey beat in the final at St Peter last April.

The club’s under-16s provide four players for the squad which travels over today (helping support the Ist XV in their crucial fixture at Hayward’s Heath this afternoon) for tomorrow’s match. The quartet are U16 captain Tom Ellis, Stephen de Ste Croix, Chris Whitehead and Zane Duquemin.

The squad are led by Bob Shambrook and Mick Curzons.

Jersey U18s: Chris Pople, Stephen de Ste Croix, Zane Duquemin, Will Hunter, William Campbell, Andrew Woodward, Joe Ellyatt, Tom Ellis, Chris Whitehead, Ollie Harwood, Michael Le Bourgoise, Jon Monserez, Stephen Phelan, Mark Livesey (capt), Tom Nuth, Alaistair Dickson and Rory Topping.

Jersey RFC Academy have three U15s selected for Hampshire A this weekend. Centre Aaron Young starts at centre, while Aidan McGuire is at blindside flanker for Hampshire A’s match against an Overton Invitational XV at Overton tomorrow.

Prop forward Richard Sinel is named as one of the replacements. This will be the second county match the trio have been involved in, with Young having scored on his debut.