Adams Set For Bristol Bow

Bristol centre Jack Adams will make his debut for the club against Birmingham & Solihull on Saturday after his summer move from Kingsholm.

The 22 year-old, who was a try scorer against the Pirates whilst on loan at Moseley in February, has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season.

He told the Evening Post,

“You don't want to go to a new club and not play. It's a strange feeling, because even though you're injured, it's still gutting when you see the team-sheet and your name's not on there.”

"You want to be playing – and it was really hard to watch at the weekend. But the physios have got me nice and fit and I'm raring to go this weekend. It's great to be fit again and I'm really looking forward to this game."

Bristol coach Paul Hull will select his team for the trip to Bees from the following:-

Backs:
T Arscott, L Robinson, D Norton, J Adams, L Eves, J Fatialofa, L Arscott, A Jarvis, M Davies, S Alford, J Spice (capt).

Forwards:
M Irish, A Clarke, D Blaney, R Johnson, D Crompton, W Thompson, N Budgett, M Sambucetti, R Winters, I Grieve, J Phillips, D Montagu, R Pennycook.

Full story.. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/bristolrugby

Lewis Determined To Be A Hit At The Butts

Coventry`s new recruit at inside centre, Chris Lewis, is determined to build on the success of a try-scoring debut against Rotherham on Friday night and win over the fans at the Butts Park Arena.

Lewis, a double blue from Cambridge University, had never played competitive club rugby before his debut on Friday night and told The Coventry Evening Telegraph,

“The speed of the game is a lot quicker and it’s a lot more physical. I have obviously been playing against academy guys who are not as big.”

“They are still fast but they are not anything like the size of the Rotherham boys. It was a real step up. But I am improving every day and hopefully I will continue to do that throughout the season.”

Full story.. www.coventrytelegraph.net

Coventry have also unveiled their new playing kit for the coming season taken ahead of this weekend`s trip to Bedford.

Link.. www.coventrytelegraph.net/

Chiefs Hold No Fears For Us - Kenworthy

Doncaster Knights skipper Glen Kenworthy has told The Star that Saturday`s trip to Sandy Park to face Exeter Chiefs holds no fears for his side despite their opening day defeat to Bedford Blues.

Kenworthy said,

"Exeter is another tough match, but on the flip side it is good to play against the better sides because it brings the best out in you," said influential skipper Glen Kenworthy.

"We know that they are a good side but we drew there on the last day of last season, so we've no fears about going there.

"There are going to be no easy games this season due to the league being reduced to 12 teams and the introduction of a top-eight play-off.

"Whereas in the past a lot of teams had nothing to play for by midway through the season, and the players will sometimes find it hard to get up for games, every team will have something to play for this season, be it a top-eight spot or fighting against relegation. That is going to make it very competitive.

"Fortunately, I think that we have the strongest squad that we've had whilst I've been here and I've got faith in the players.

Full story.. www.thestar.co.uk/rugbyunion

Skipper Hayes Ready To Lead Chiefs Again

Exeter Chiefs skipper Tommy Hayes expects to start the match against Doncaster after coming on as a replacement against Moseley last weekend.

He told the club website,

“It’s good to be starting the first game of the league at home. It is going to be a big occasion against a team that has been up and around the top of the division in the last few seasons.

“Our 9-9 draw here and our couple of games up there last year were really close games. Doncaster are a quality outfit. It will take all we have to beat them.”

Team (from):-

Forwards
Brett Sturgess, Shane Kingsland, Simon Alcott
Neil Clark, Hoani Tui, Ruaidhri Murphy
Sean Tomes, Tom Hayes, James Hanks
Tom Johnson, Chad Slade, James Scaysbrook, Richie Baxter

Backs
Clive Stuart-Smith, Haydn Thomas, Danny Gray
Gareth Steenson, Mark Foster, Matt Jess
Paul McKenzie , Matt Cornwell, Phil Dollman
Bryan Rennie, Josh Matavesi

Owen Urges Albion For More

Plymouth Albion hooker James Owen has rallied his troops ahead of Sunday’s difficult trip to Rotherham Titans after what he believed was a far from perfect performance against the Bees.

Albion won the match at Brickfields 33-10 but the former Pirate told The Herald,

“ No disrespect to Birmingham, but I think against some of the better teams in the league, we might be punished a bit more. There are definitely improvements to be made.

If we see that as our best performance, then we are going to be very disappointed and we will struggle this season in the league because it is going to be very, very tough.”

He continued,

"We haven't won up at Rotherham in the league, so we have to try and bust that. We have got to target these first two games and, with respect to Rotherham, we have got to go up there and give it everything.”

"We nearly won up there last year and we have got to try and put that to bed this weekend. It will be a test for the team – there is no point running around with big smiles after last weekend's win because it is coming up again.”

Full story.. www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion

Hopper Recovery Hits Buffers + Spaniard Returns Home

Albion centre Matt Hopper is to see a specialist again after suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury sustained against the Cornish Pirates in April.

Hopper was not named in the squad to face Bees and chairman of rugby Graham Dawe said,

“He's going for a second opinion. The injury is a bit of a mystery.

The original scans were fine. There did not seem to be any damage as such.

But he has been suffering a bit of pain when he trains and we just want to find out what is causing it."

Albion have also released Spanish fly-half Jaime Nava de Olano after a brief spell at the club.

Full story.. www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion

Titans Reserves Win At Donny

Rotherham Titans won the `A` team battle at Castle Park on Monday night beating Doncaster Knights 10-7 courtesy of a second half penalty from fly-half Jonny West.

Ryan Burrows scored an earlt try for the visitors converted by West before Du Rant`s try converted by Warnock levelled the scores at the break.

Doncaster piled forward during the second period but were unable to turn their pressure into points.

Report.. www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk