Current champions Nottingham Outlaws will be looking to get the defence of their Conference League South crown back on track on Saturday in a difficult looking fixture against league newcomers Gloucester All Golds at Highfields on Saturday (kick off 3.00pm) writes Richard Johnson.
After a two opening home wins in the league the Outlaws unbeaten start to their 2016 league campaign came to a halt last weekend with a 26-16 defeat at the hands of a powerful London Chargers outfit and a home win on Saturday is something of a must if they are to grab a coveted top two finish in what is already turning out to be a highly competitive CLS competition.
Little is known about Saturdays opposition who are effectively the reserve side for professional the professional Gloucester All Golds outfit who currently ply their trade in League One of the professional game. However any team that can travel to Coventry and come away with the spoils, as the All Golds did in their opening league game, are clearly capable of an upset and they will no doubt have championship ambitions of their own.
Whilst the All Golds are something of an unknown entity the Outlaws coaching staff remained unfazed and their efforts were focussed very much on team selection as a number of early season injuries once again mean a number of changes to the side as coach Strachan re-shuffled his cards ahead of the big game.
Most changes were in the backs as last week’s centre partnership see Reece Nedham and Sam Campbell replaced by Adam Simm and big Pat Crummay who swaps his regular second row position for a run out in the backs.
Half back duo Whittle and Martin will once again be charged with leading the team around the paddock whilst the pack is virtually the same as the one that started in the Capital last weekend although rookie Luca Costante steps into the starting thirteen to replace the vacant second row spot left by Crummay.
Most changes are to be seen on the replacement bench with four changes to last week’s team sheet as Barton and Page return to add some size and power to the forwards with playmaker Paul Calland waiting in the wings to add some wizardry when needed. They are joined by newcomer Cory Stobart who was signed recently from Boston Buccaneers and has been showing well in training since he arrived at the club.
- Adam Cunliffe, 2. Adrian Chaima, 3. Adam Simm, 4. Patrick Crummay, 5. Jon Christie, 6. Will Martin, 7. Alex Whittle, 8. Alex Wright, 9. Chris Prime, 10. George Strachan, 11. Luca Costante, 12. Coryn Ward, 13. Oliver Dale, 14. Cory Stobart, 15. Joe Barton16. Paul Calland, 17. Stephen Page
