Syston v Hornets
Outside centre Connor Vickery again leads the Hornets 1stXV in their National League 2 West match away to Syston. This will be the first time that the two sides have met in the league after Syston were promoted as Regional 1 Midlands unbeaten champions.
But the Leicestershire side have lost all ten league matches to date, though they have collected a try-scoring bonus on five occasions, and are rooted at the foot of the table, trailing Old Redcliffians by 15 points.
Hornets moved up into fourth place after last weekend’s 27-19 bonus point home victory over Lymm, but while their home form is intact, they have yet to win away from The Nest since April, when they won at Devonport Services.
There are three changes to the Hornets side from the one that started against Lymm last weekend, with Owen Griffiths on the right wing, Jack Gapper at fly-half and Jack Parkinson at loosehead prop.
After their 79-36 defeat away at Exeter University last weekend, there are several changes to the Syston starting line-up. Luke Williams is on the right wing, Owen Carroll is at inside centre, so James Rudkin switches to outside centre with Matt Steward at fly-half.
In the pack, Sam Wright is at tighthead prop, Taine Benson comes into the second row to partner Henry Grooby, Niall Hurley is at blindside flanker, so skipper Luke Stewart moves to openside flanker.
Syston (home v Hornets, 2 pm): Finlay Nockles; Luke Williams, James Rudkin, Owen Carroll, Austin Nevitt; Matt Steward, Shay Lewis; Archie Coldicott. Angus Knight, Sam Wright, Henry Grooby, Taine Benson, Niall Hurley, Luke Stewart (capt), Ed James. Reps: Kilby, Jordan, Saayman, Hutchins, Morgan Wayte-McPherson.
Hornets: Charlie Carter; Owen Griffith, Connor Vickery (capt), Adam Francis, Huw Morgan; Jack Gapper, James Murray; Jack Parkinson, Callum Lane, Tom Read, Tommy Bailey, Joachim Hullah, Danny Bailey, Sonny Davis, Corey Baker. Reps: Kieran Ward, Kieron Crowley, Ross Cheeseborough, Kieran Tasker, Tom Froggatt.
OTHER MATCHES THIS WEEKEND
On Friday evening, Hornets 4thXV are away to Weston Athletic, and Hornets Colts host their North Petherton counterparts. Both games kick off at 7.30 pm.
On Saturday afternoon, Hornets 2ndXV are away to Keynsham, with a 2 pm kick-off, and Hornets 3rdXV host Wyvern with a 2.30 pm start.
On Sunday afternoon, the Hornets Ladies welcome Okehampton Ladies to The Nest and Hornets U16 Girls are at home to Weston Roses U16s with both games getting underway at 2 pm.
