Royal Navy Ring the Changes for Challenge of Cardinals : Royal Navy Rugby Union

Royal Navy Ring the Changes for Challenge of Cardinals

Ben Priddey will lead a much changed Royal Navy team in Wednesday’s game away to Esher Cardinals

Mariner Keith Lister remains on the bench but sees fellow Mariner John Court resume at tight head prop

Along with scrum half Cory Moore, Matt Tichias is the only other player to remain in a much changed back line

Ben Fox and Edd Pascoe will lead the Royal Navy lineout as they seek to build on their performance against Cambridge University

Having impressed at Grange Road, strong running centre James Griggs misses out due to injury

Matt Bowden returns to the Senior XV shirt and will look to enjoy the width offered by the Moseley Road pitch

Buoyed by their opening 50-26 victory, away against Cambridge University, the Royal Navy have made eight changes to the starting XV for their visit to Esher on Wednesday night. The skipper Ben Priddey leads a pack that sees three changes, whilst only Cory Moore and Matt Tichias remain of the backline that started at Cambridge. Having had time together the team will be looking to build on their opening match performance, against a team that traditionally lay down a fast and physical challenge on their full width Moseley Road pitch.

In the front row, John Court returns at tight head with Chris Warner swapping across to loose head and Ben Priddey at hooker. Behind them John Lamsin makes way for Royal Marine Ollie Mason with Edd Pascoe maintaining the continuity at lock. The flankers are unchanged where Ben Fox is again in tandem with Jarrard Hayler. Timo Kava who along with Mason is making his first Senior XV start, completes the scrum packing down at Number 8.

Outside Cory Moore makes his second start at half back but this time with Greg Loydall at flyhalf. Silvenuis Buinimasi teams up again with Matt Tichias who is retained at inside centre. Whilst the Royal Navy field a completely changed, though familiar looking, back three from the Cambridge match. Jon Humphrey drops back from 10 to his favoured fullback position and is paired with Matt Bowden and Ben Chambers on the wings, both will be looking to utilise the space offered on Esher’s fast track pitch.

With Esher Cardinals having enjoyed two large wins of their own this season, the Royal Navy know that they will have to step up from their winning performance at Grange Road. As ever Esher are likely to provide a physical examination at the breakdown and have a well deserved reputation for playing the game at pace, with width and plenty of variety. It is sure to prove a worthwhile examination of the Royal Navy’s credentials as they continue their build up to the 2016 Inter Services and a home match against the Royal Air Force ,at USSG Portsmouth, on Wednesday 20 April.

Royal Navy Starting XV v Esher Cardinals:

Chris Warner, Ben Priddey * (Capt), John Court *, Edd Pascoe *, Ollie Mason, Ben Fox *, Jarrard Hayler *, Timo Kava, Cory Moore, Greg Loydall, Matt Bowden *, Matt Tichias *, Silvenusi Buinimasi *, Ben Chambers, Jon Humphrey *
Replacements: Harry Collins *, Chris Robinson, Keith Lister, Ben Watson, Lewis Cooper, Gareth John Rees, Richard Cadywould, Rhys Dimmock-WIlliams
* Denotes capped player