AS expected, it is Loughborough Students who provide the final hurdle to Jersey RFC’s ambition to be promoted to the third tier of English rugby.

The international-packed squad of students qualified for their second successive National I play-off on Saturday after coming from behind to beat Westoe
31-12 and finish second in National North II.

Jersey, having secured the South II runners-up spot last month, have been waiting patiently for the northern division to catchup on their fixture back-log (caused in no small measure by Loughborough controversially being given permission to cancel fixtures while squad members were away on international age group duty).

Loughborough, who crashed heavily in the play-off stage to last season’s South II runners-up Rosslyn Park, say they are confident of tackling fortress Jersey next Saturday afternoon, despite having lost five away matches this season, and are booked to arrive in the Island on Friday to prepare for the winner-takes-all showdown at St Peter.