Harvey makes changes for Ponty clash, with Brennan and Voss back in contention

Posted on Oct 12, 2012 in Jersey

Tight-head prop Jon Brennan and teenage lock James Voss are in line for their first appearances of the season as Jersey take on Pontypridd tomorrow at St Peter (k-o 3pm).

The Islanders, looking for the first win of the current campaign after a tough start to life in the RFU Championship, are fielding a strong line-up for the British & Irish Cup tie against the visitors from the Rhondda Valley.

Among the replacements are Brennan, Jersey’s longest-serving player, who has spent 10 months on the side-lines after damaging his knee against Coventry in December; and Voss, 18, who made four appearances last season and signed a full-time contract in the summer.

In the starting XV, 37-year-old Player-Coach Ben Evans is rested against his fellow countrymen, with James Gethings wearing the number 3 shirt alongside hooker Dave Felton and loose-head Sean McCarthy. Paul Rodgers makes his first start since returning from injury, and the dislocated shoulder suffered by Talite Vaioleti in training this week sees Dave Markham come into the pack.

Nicky Griffiths and Mike Le Bourgeois remain in the half-back positions, while Ashley Maggs partners Dai Bishop in the centre.

Both Bishop and Griffiths formerly played for the Dragons in Wales, and will be well-known to the visiting fans – who are expected to be present in large numbers – along with ex-Wales and Ospreys full-back Barry Davies.

Jersey’s man-of-the-match in last weekend’s defeat at Nottingham, Ed Dawson, starts on the wing along with Ed Tellwright.

The Jersey bench includes experienced backs James Copsey, Donovan Sanders and Dave McCormack.

Jersey squad, sponsored by Locate Jersey and jersey.com

Barry Davies, Ed Tellwright, Dai Bishop, Ashley Maggs, Ed Dawson, Mike Le Bourgeois, Nicky Griffiths; Sean McCarthy, Dave Felton, James Gethings, Nathan Hannay (Capt), Paul Rodgers, Dave Markham, Kingsley Lang, Guy Thompson.

Replacements: Richard Barrington, Jon Brennan, Rob Anderson, James Voss, Dave McCormack, Donovan Sanders, James Copsey.