London Scottish have named their squad for the match against Saracens tomorrow evening at the HAC.
The Scots are boosted by a number of players returning to the starting line-up after missing the Blackheath match, and will be looking to put on a strong performance in their last pre-season fixture before the Greene King IPA Championship starts next weekend with a trip to Nottingham on Sunday 4th September.
Following the Blackheath match was a training session against Heriot’s in Edinburgh, which has helped the Scots prepare for the Saracens test awaiting them.
Grant Shiells, David Cherry and Phil Cringle start in the front-row, with Dom McGeekie again partnering captain Rory Bartle in the second-row. A back-row trio of Ally Miller, Joe Atkinson and Danny Kenny complete the pack.
Hugh Fraser makes his first start at scrum-half alongside Pete Lydon in the number 10 shirt. Harry Sheppard joins Robbie Fergusson in the centre, with a new-look back-three of Jason Harries, Ben Rath and Tom Galbraith aiming to capitalise on any counter-attacking opportunities.
13 players make up the bench and will all be used at some point as the whole squad seeks some game-time before the season opener.
Head Coach Peter Richards is looking forward to the clash against the Aviva Premiership side.
“Saracens will be a huge challenge and a chance for our players to take on some of the best players in rugby.
We couldn't have picked a harder game but it will be fantastic for everyone involved and a great experience which we are all excited about.”
London Scottish team to play Saracens at the HAC on Thursday, 25th August at 18:15:
15 Tom Galbraith 14 Ben Rath 13 Robbie Fergusson 12 Harry Sheppard 11 Jason Harries 10 Pete Lydon 9 Hugh Fraser 1 Grant Shiells 2 David Cherry 3 Phil Cringle 4 Dom McGeekie 5 Rory Bartle 6 Ally Miller 7 Joe Atkinson 8 Danny Kenny
Replacements:
16 Ralph Adams Hale 17 Cameron Fenton 18 Devlin Hope 19 Ewan McQuillin 20 Seb Nagle-Taylor 21 Matthew Marley 22 Charlie Hewitt 23 Sam Ripper Smith 24 Ed Hoadley 25 Connor Murphy 26 George Cullen 27 Connor Hayhow 28 Ben Robbins
Saracens Team to face London Scottish:
15 Alex Goode 14 Chris Ashton 13 Marcelo Bosch 12 Duncan Taylor 11 Sean Maitland 10 Alex Lozowski 9 Ben Spencer 1 Mako Vunipola 2 Jamie George (c) 3 Petrus Du Plessis 4 Maro Itoje 5 George Kruis 6 Jackson Wray 7 Schalk Burger 8 Billy Vunipola
Replacements
16 Schalk Brits 17 Richard Barrington 18 Juan Figallo 19 Alistair Hargreaves 20 Kelly Brown 21 Neil De Kock 22 Nick Tompkins 23 Chris Wyles 24 Samu Vunisa 25 Joel Conlon 26 Mike Ellery 27 Tim Streather 28 Matt Gallagher
Watch a match preview with Grant Shiells here:
