London Scottish will hand competitive debuts to six players on Saturday as they get their 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship campaign underway at the Athletic Ground against Rotherham Titans, 3pm kick-off.
Bristol loanee Mark Lilley and Scot Ben Prescott form a new front row partnership alongside hooker Adam Kwasnicki whilst former Exeter Chiefs lock James Phillips and Adam Preocanin pack down together in the second row.
Speedster Matt Williams makes his debut on the wing with Irishman Peter Lydon, a summer signing from Stade Francais, starting at full-back.
US Eagle Tai Tuisamoa is set to make his competitive debut off a replacements bench which also includes three other new signings, props Max Maidment and James Hallam and former Scotland under-20s hooker David Cherry, a summer signing from Currie.
Head coach James Buckland said: “I am really excited to see what they can do. You talk about them being debutants but they have been here for 12 weeks and are very much part of the fabric of this squad. They have settled in really well.
“In the front five in particular, we wanted to go out and recruit big, tough, resiliant boys so we can have a balance to our game.
“And with players like Peter Lydon and Matt Williams in the back three, hopefully we can trouble teams from 1 to 15.
“It will be a big game for them, the first game at home and hopefully they will enjoy it and turn on a performance.”
James Buckland's full interview can be viewed online here
Match ticket prices start at just £12 for members and £15 for non-members (Clan, standing tickets) with Under-16s again able to get into the ground for free this season (Clan, standing tickets).
For full match ticket details click here.
London Scottish squad to face Rotherham Titans at Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday, September 6, 3pm kick-off.
15, Peter Lydon; 14, Matt Williams; 13, Oli Grove; 12, PJ Gidlow; 11, Miles Mantella; 10, Dan Newton; 9, Jamie Stevenson; 1. Mark Lilley; 2. Adam Kwasnicki; 3. Ben Prescott; 4. James Phillips; 5, Adam Preocanin; 6, Neil Best; 7, Chevvy Pennycook; 8, Mark Bright (c).
Replacements: 16, James Hallam; 17, David Cherry; 18, Max Maidment; 19, Tai Tuisamoa; 20, Sam Twomey; 21, Sam Stuart; 22, Lee Millar.
Unavailable due to injury: Josh Thomas Brown, Fred Silcock, Jim Thompson.
