Jersey RFC v Plymouth Albion RFC Preview

WHO JERSEY ARE FACING

Plymouth Albion Rugby Club.

Founded: 1875

Home Ground: The Brickfields

Head (player) Coach: James Shanahan

Last season: Ninth

Last season:

Plymouth started the last campaign in excellent form, winning four of their first five league matches, their best ever start to a championship campaign. This was in complete contrast to the previous season where they struggled badly, finishing second bottom with only six wins. Sadly for the Albion they could not sustain this precocious form and fell away badly, winning only three of their last 17 games, one of those against already relegated Doncaster. Despite this terrible run, many of these matches were closely fought. No team managed more losing bonus points, including four games in a row which kept them out of trouble, and ahead of Jersey. In fact their twelve bonus points overall were matched only by the top four sides. With only thirty points and one win more than Jersey last term it was their defensive abilities and Jerseys poor start that was the difference between the two sides.

This season so far:

A much changed and stronger Plymouth started off this season. New head coach James Shanahan combining his playing duties with a new look coaching team. Their pre season was notable for the match against Worcester that never was, after the Warriors coach caught fire spectacularly on the way down to Plymouth. Results have been mixed in the opening few matches. An opening day win over a Jersey side which faltered badly, saw them off to a cracking start. Despite the early dominance in their next match with Moseley which saw them 31-6 ahead just past the half hour, they somehow contrived to throw away the win and were left hanging on for a 34 all draw. This was followed by a heavy defeat to London Welsh, and then a two point loss at home to London Scottish. Against Scottish, Albion were leading 20-17 with only moments remaining, despite having lock Brett Beukeboom sent off, when a last gasp try in the corner condemned them to defeat. Albion got back on track with a comfortable win over Nottingham followed by a thumping six try 38-12 win over Stirling County, both in the British and Irish cup. Albion come into the match one position and three points better off than Jersey, with the bonus points they have accrued being the difference between the two sides. Discipline does seem to be hampering the side as they currently top the table when it comes to red and yellow cards, already half of the total accrued in the whole of last season.

Previous with Jersey:

Last season’s results despite being tight, both finished in Jerseys favour. Albion was the only team to have been beaten home and away by the reds.  At St Peter, Jersey led through James Copsey’s try as early as the third minute, cancelled out soon after by an Aaron Carpenter score, and with 15 minutes left of the encounter Jersey trailed 14-10. Mike Le Bourgeois’ kicked two pressure penalties, winning 16-14 which gave Jersey their third consecutive victory. Jersey’s first and only away league win last term was Albion’s ninth straight defeat, in the return encounter at the Brickfields stadium. Leading 19-3 with three tries - including a brace for Nicky Griffiths - in the bag early in the second half, Jersey overcommitted and allowed Albion back into the match. Jersey hung on for a tight 19-15 victory in a match that lasted just shy of two hours due to injuries. It should have been three wins from three meetings for Jersey but for a second half capitulation in this season’s opener. The first game Jersey has ever played live on Sky TV started so well for the Islanders. Leading 21-13 early in the second half and seemingly in complete control of the match, dominating in the forwards, looking dangerous with ball in hand. All the hard work was undone by a 25 minute spell where Albion scored four scorching tries, ripping the Jersey team apart, leaving the newly professional outfit to ask some searching questions.

Having seen off last season’s runners up Bedford and the Scottish champions Ayr at home, unfortunate to take nothing from division favourites Bristol, and having beaten Nottingham away since the last encounter with Albion, Jersey should be favourites to take at least four points from this clash. Albion will not be pushovers, but fortress St Peter is getting tougher to breach by the game.

ONES TO WATCH

Name: Chris Elder

Age: 21

Position: Full back/Centre

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 100kgs

Utility back Elder signed from Esher this summer having scored nine tries and kicked 55 points in 27 matches.  He began his career at the Wasps academy, representing England’s Under 18 and England Counties. Whilst he prefers inside centre he was used in devastating style as full back in the opening day win over Jersey. With pace to burn, Elder scored a brace of tries as Jersey were carved open. In the final year of a Geography degree, he has deferred his studies to concentrate full time on rugby with Plymouth.

Name: Dan Mugford

Age: 22

Position: Fly half

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 87kgs

Signed for this season from fellow Championship side London Scottish, having spent the majority of the last campaign on loan at National One sides Blackheath and Rosslyn Park. His kicking has been near flawless this season, with a conversion rate of 96% which includes seven kicks from seven attempts against Jersey on the opening day. The former England Counties star has a respectable return of over 50 points this season, and he will kick the goals should Jersey give away needless penalties.

Name: Eoghan Grace

Age: 26

Position: Flanker

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 102kgs

A product of the Munster academy, Grace joined Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, although an achilles injury curtailed his game time there.  A spell at Pro-12 side Connacht followed where he played for two seasons in both the league and Heineken Cup matches. This preceded a move to Albion for the current season, where he hopes he can reignite his career. Still harbouring aspirations of playing for the full Irish national side, the former Ireland under 20’s player has also turned out for the Ireland sevens team.

Name: Toby Howley-Berridge

Age: 23

Position: Centre

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 89kgs

In his second season with Albion, having signed at the start of last season from Doncaster. Previously having played with new Albion head coach James Shanahan at Cambridge he is well used to the systems of play currently employed. Equally adept on the wing or at full back, he is another player with plenty of pace. Having struggled with injury at his previous clubs, Howley-Berridge started 22 league and cup matches last term. He has also represented England Eastern Counties on their African tour two seasons ago.