Match Preview

After a weekend spent watching the International boys go at each other, the boys from Wheatley are chomping at the bit to get back into the fray as they take a short journey down the ring road to face Oxford Rugby Club and look to put the disappointing 10-7 loss to Littlemore behind them.

The last time Wheatley faced Oxford was again off of the back of a narrow defeat to Littlemore and Wheatley will be looking for a similar level of bouncebackability this time around as they finished that game as 30-0 victors. The tries that day coming from C Taylor, Muir (x2) and Atkinson to secure the bonus point. At the time, Oxford were riding high in 3rd place, however a (admittedly harsh) 20 point deduction now leaves Oxford one place off of the bottom of the table, a position that belies their true quality, as recent wins against Harwell, Faringdon, Farnham and a competitive loss to Littlemore show.

This far into the season, it was inevitable that there would eventually be a week where injuries and availability would pile up and this is that week.

The first change comes in the front row, where Jake Durbin will take on the hooking duties in the temporary absence of Peter Mitchell, but he will have the comfort and familiarity of 'The Alex's' either side of him, as Messrs Acklam and Gabbidon pack down, with Acklam once again taking on the captains responsibility. Nick Banton has finally had enough of doing the lions share of the second row pushing and so Josh Murcott will provide the grunt alongside NI's second finest Matt Gibb. Putting the 'Loose' in Loose Forward will be Dan Bland as he starts at blindside whilst James Neal moves to number 8, as Jack Atkinson continues his therapy at 'Clanger Rehab'. Back from a seemingly endless uni holiday, Oli Kenworthy returns to the team in the absence of Caillin Taylor and starts at 7.

With Aaron Laman suffering medial ligament damage against Littlemore and Jack Taylor unavailable, the selection committee, having exhausted all other options, were forced to ask Gavin Belcher to don the 9 shirt alongside Andy Willis who returns to his number 10 shirt. Cole Bates takes on the Owen Farrell role of a 10 playing at 12 alongside the established Joe Hobdell, who continues on his quest of rebuilding the Hobdell name after the tyrannic reign of FDCP. With both Muir and Downer out with hand injuries Dan Rule and Callum Fraser will start on the wings, supporting Handoff Hook at 15.

Looking to the 'Finishers' bench (cheers Eddie), a mix of brains and brawn, pace and power, and youth and 'experience' is present. Simon Chadbone is againdonning the purple and will look to bolster the front row, as will young gun Ezra Rees, who continues his development. Well beyond the development phases of their career are the versatile and experienced Russ Neal and Dave Thomas, whilst forward/winger/Try of the Month contender Liam Meredith completes the bench.

Despite the changes to the squad, Wheatley have every right to feel confident in the replacements ability as they get to demonstrate Wheatley's strength in depth and reiterating that this current group of players is the most competitive that Wheatley have had in years.

Kick off 2.30pm at Oxford.