Robbie Fergusson will captain London Scottish for the first time as the Scots open their 2016/17 Greene King IPA Championship campaign against Nottingham at Lady Bay tomorrow afternoon.
The Scottish centre will take on the captaincy role in the absence of Rory Bartle, and will lead the side in to the first match of the new exciting season, with 11 players making their competitive debuts in the starting line-up.
Grant Shiells, Dave Cherry and Ewan McQuillin start in an all-Scottish front-row, with the Worcester pair of Hugh Taylor and Charlie Hewitt in the second-row. Ally Miller, Joe Atkinson and Ifereimi Boladau complete the pack, which has been under the guidance of new Forwards Coach John Dalziel.
Ed Hoadley wins the battle of the scrum-halves to start in the number nine shirt, with Pete Lydon alongside at fly-half. Harry Sheppard partners Robbie Fergusson in the centre, with an entirely new back-three of wingers Cameron Ives and Ben Rath, and Tom Galbraith at full-back.
Devlin Hope, Jonny Harris and Phil Cringle will look to make an impact to the front-row when called upon, whilst Dom McGeekie and Danny Kenny provider cover for the rest of the forwards.
Jamie Stevenson could make his first appearance since his return from Wasps in the summer, and George Cullen completes the match day squad to travel to Lady Bay.
Robbie Fergusson is thrilled to be captaining the side in the season opener. “It’s a big honour to be asked to be skipper, after playing last year and pre-season we’re looking forward to getting out there and I’m determined to do my best.”
Head Coach Peter Richards is expecting a huge challenge against Nottingham tomorrow afternoon, but one that he is looking forward to.
“We’ve seen Nottingham in pre-season and they are a very well drilled and well coached side with plenty of firepower. We’ve had a good week of training full of enthusiasm with an exciting young team, and I speak for everyone at London Scottish when I say that we are all excited for the challenge.”
London Scottish team to face Nottingham at Lady Bay on Sunday, 4th September at 15:00:
15 Tom Galbraith 14 Ben Rath 13 Robbie Fergusson (c) 12 Harry Sheppard 11 Cameron Ives 10 Pete Lydon 9 Ed Hoadley 1 Grant Shiells 2 Dave Cherry 3 Ewan McQuillin 4 Hugh Taylor 5 Charlie Hewitt 6 Ally Miller 7 Joe Atkinson 8 Ifereimi Boladau
Replacements:
16 Devlin Hope 17 Jonny Harris 18 Phil Cringle 19 Dom McGeekie 20 Danny Kenny 21 Jamie Stevenson 22 George Cullen
Watch extended interviews looking ahead to tomorrow's match with Robbie Fergusson and Peter Richards below:
