London Scottish coach Peter Richards says the underdog tag sits comfortably with his side as they prepare for Saturday’s historic Greene King IPA Championship play-off semi-final clash against Worcester Warriors at Richmond Athletic Ground, 1.45pm kick-off.
Worcester finished the regular Championship season as runners-up to Bristol and having completed the double over third placed Scottish, Dean Ryan’s side are viewed as heavy favourites ahead of the two-legged semi-final tie.
However Richards hopes to upset the odds and take advantage of the first leg being held at home where the Scots have lost just twice in the league all season.
He said: “With a big crowd at home and the support of some Edinburgh Rugby fans, hopefully we can make it as uncomfortable as possible for Worcester.
“They are a very good team but beatable as Bristol showed and Jersey before that.
“I think we thrive having the underdogs tag. We are quite happy to go in with that.
“Worcester can be toppled but it will take a monumental effort.
“As I said to the boys, we were within five points of them with five minutes left on the clock last time we played them here and if we can be in the same sort of position and nick a score at the end, then all the better.”
He added: “It’s a hugely exciting time for the Club and the boys have been buzzing all week.
“This is almost 11 months in the making and they will be giving it their best shot.”
In the back-row, Neil Best and Gregor Gillanders return to the starting XV whilst Miles Mantella is recalled on the left wing with Kieran Moffat preferred to Matt Hawke at outside centre.
Greene King IPA Championship Player of the Year nominee Mark Bright captains the side from number eight in a squad which includes seven Scots-qualified players.
Richards said: “It’s great to bring back Neil Best with all his experience alongside Gregor who gives us a few more line-out options and physicality.
“PJ Gidlow has been brilliant since returning from injury and had to start. Kieran Moffat has probably shown more touches of attacking ability recently and gets the nod alongside PJ, although it’s tough on Matt Hawke.
“We are well set and in Mark Bright we have the league’s leading try scorer captaining the side.”
– London Scottish is delighted to announce Deutsche Bank as official match sponsor of Saturday’s historic match.
Deutsche Bank is the main sponsor of London Scottish and has been a long-standing partner of the Club since 2010. For more on this story, click here.
Match tickets – Clan tickets (ground pass) and 1878 tickets (centre of stand) are still available to purchase online here for just £15 whilst there is limited hospitality spaces available.
To book your space in hospitality, email Lauren Macleod on lauren.macleod@londonscottish.com
London Scottish squad to play Worcester Warriors at Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday, May 2, 1.45pm kick-off.
15, Peter Lydon, 14, Matt Williams, 13, Kieran Moffat, 12, PJ Gidlow, 11, Miles Mantella, 10, Dan Newton, 9, Jamie Stevenson, 1 James Hallam, 2, Adam Kwasnicki, 3, Ben Prescott, 4, James Phillips, 5, Josh Thomas Brown, 6, Gregor Gillanders, 7, Neil Best, 8, Mark Bright (c).
Replacements: 16, Mark Lilley, 17, James Stephenson, 18, D'arcy Rae, 19, James Chisholm, 20, Chris Walker, 21, Matt Heeks, 22, Lee Millar.
