HARTPURY RUGBY Tovey centre of attention
- Details
- Created on Friday, 19 November 2021 12:00
- Last Updated on Saturday, 20 November 2021 06:41
- Published on Friday, 19 November 2021 12:00
- Written by ANDREW BEACHAM at Hartpury
After a two-week break, Hartpury make a number of changes from the squad that travelled to Jersey as they prepare for the visit of fourth-placed Doncaster Knights this weekend (today 1330).
The back division has been pretty stable this season and so it remains, with just one change in personnel.
Jack Tovey makes his first full start since signing in the summer, but Hartpury supporters will remember that it is not a full debut as he played for the club on a number of occasions back in 2018-19, on loan from the Bristol Bears.
Tovey will slot in at outside centre, with Robbie Smith moving to the wing. Centre partner, Charlie Foley, will be making his first appearance against the team that he represented for the past four seasons.
There is a change in the front row, with Will Crane resuming his duties at hooker. There is also a switch in the second row where, with Cameron Jordan needed at Kingsholm, James Scott will start.
It is all change in the back row. After two appearances in the Bath Rugby first team squad – including a Premiership debut – Nahum Merigan returns at Number 8. Either side of him, Harry Short is quickly restored to the open side, while Gloucester and England U20 flanker Josh Gray is rewarded for some good recent performances off the bench with his first start.
There is more shuffling on the bench. Aristot ‘Totti’ Benz Salomon, in his Championship debut, provides cover at loose head – twin brother, Jono, has already made his Hartpury debut this season and will be with the Bears tomorrow as they continue their Premiership Cup campaign. Both are current Hartpury undergraduates.
Covering the tight head position (occupied by his cousin Ciaran) is the welcome figure of Shaun Knight, who will be making his first appearance since pre-season after a knee niggle.
Josh Fenner will provide capability at lock or back row, while Joe Howard and Oli Robinson – the latter confirming his return from a 7-week lay-off – will also cover the loose trio.
A 6:2 split means just two backs. Scrum-half, Toby Venner is another returning from injury and will be hoping to put his hand up for further recognition at Gloucester, while outside back Mat McNab steps up from BUCS Super Rugby for the second time this season. Venner scored two tries on his last Hartpury appearance in April, although it was also the game in which he picked up his knee injury.
The full 23 is:
- Conor Maguire
- Will Crane (CC)
- Ciaran Knight
- Dale Lemon
- James Scott
- Josh Gray
- Harry Short
- Nahum Merigan
- JB Bruzulier (CC)
- James Williams
- Robbie Smith
- Charlie Foley
- Jack Tovey
- Sam Smith
- Ben Foley
- Luke Stratford
- Aristot Benz Salomon
- Shaun Knight
- Josh Fenner
- Joe Howard
- Oli Robinson
- Toby Venner
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