THE CAVALRY RETURNS?

The only photo I could find on PA Images (which provides the illustrations for Sport Network) that related to Richmond was this one – the fabulous Jonah Lomu emerging from the changing rooms during an All Blacks training session many years ago. Wonderful as he was (bless his soul) I think we’re all relieved Jona won’t be running out for Richmond this weekend!

After a rest week, Sunday sees both our return to the Championship and the return of our Internationals. Circumstances means that instead of putting their feet up, the boys are going to have to turn out for their club. Principality Stadium last week, the Athletic Ground in TW9 this (don’t make a wrong turning lads!) it’s all in the life of a Saracens’ player.

After just 3 rounds of matches, the Championship table is interesting. Already the top 3 teams (Ealing, Pirates and Doncaster) have opened a big gap on Ampthill in 4^th. Despite having only played twice, Saracens are 5^th (the other 2 teams to have had a rest week lie in the bottom 2). Richmond are currently 9^th having beaten Jersey last weekend but losing to Pirates & Hartpury in the other 2 rounds. As with every team we face this season, this will be Richmond’s Cup Final and they will be up for it. We can not afford another slip up. We must be up for it too.

I can not admit to any knowledge of the Richmond Team but Richmond has been home to several former Sarries including Dan Luger & Craig Quinnell (possibly best forgotten). Of more interest, the likes of Augustin Pichot, Brian Moore, Bobby Skinstad & Barry Williams have all pulled on the red, black and gold of Richmond. Their current squad does not seem to be quite so exalted but they are not to be underestimated. Several Richmond players have Premiership and Top 14 experience (Callum Watson, Jonny Harris & Sam Collingridge with London Irish, Luc Jones and Jack Musk with Harlequins, Will Kaye with Leicester Tigers, Callum Torpey with Connacht & Charlie Gowling with Stade Francais). Best of all, Max Crawford played for the interestingly named Surfers Paradise Rugby Club!

As for Saracens – we aren’t likely to see Faz or Billy this week, who are both under concussion protocols but we would expect many of the others to return and bolster the forwards especially. I would expect to see Jamie George starting, probably along with Mako in the front row. Maro might get the week off but I think Sean Maitland and possibly Elliot Day will be back. So the team may look something like:-

Daly, Maitland, Socino, Taylor, Lewington, Davis, Manu; Mako, George, Koch, Swinson, Hunter-Hill, Rhodes, Reffell, Wray

Hopefully that will be enough to secure the 5 points we desperately need – but no one is taking anything for granted anymore.

Remember to register for the Live Stream in good time – there were lots of last minute Hiccups last time!