After a good three weeks break of rest and recoup over Christmas and New Year the Green and Whites are back in Championship Rugby action this evening hoping to get back to winning ways in the league after defeat last time out at Coventry.
It’s not been a great start to the new year however as Billy Walker, James Connolly and Mat Clarke are all side-lined with long term injuries with Head Coach Neil Fowkes stating “It’s a bit of a blow because they’re three massive players for us but the rest of the squad is healthy and we’ve got good competition and good confidence in those boys to see us right for the rest of the season.”
Previewing the visit of Ealing Trailfinders who sit fourth in the table (ahead of ninth placed Nottingham by six points) Fowkes said “They’ve been there or there abouts for the past few years. They’ve got a big squad up there full of experience in the Championship, Premiership and PRO14 so they’re a decent squad and they’re going to be tough.”
“We’re up for that challenge, that’s part of what we do here. We want to take on the top four sides and show what were about.”
Ealing have never won at the Bay with Nottingham winning the previous four meetings Trentside and Fowkes said “We’re going out there on Friday night to put our best foot forward and show what we can do, the pressure is off us. Our guys will go out there and show everybody how competitive we are in this division.”
Kick Off at Lady Bay is 7:45pm with six changes to the team that lost against Coventry including the addition of front row Ben Bett’s who plays against the team he’s currently on loan from.
Danny Qualter returns after injury whilst Luke Cole comes in at hooker and Ben Foley also gets a start on the wing.
Starting Team: Sean Scanlon, David Williams, Will Millett, Luke Peters, Ben Foley, Shane O’Leary, Murray McConnell, Aniseko Sio, Luke Cole, Ben Betts, Llewelyn Jones, Danny Qualter, Seb Cecil, Will Owen, Tui Uru
Replacements: Jake Farnworth, Jamie Jack, Oisin Heffernan, Tom Holmes, Josh Poullet, Alex Dolly Harry Strong, Jack Spittle.
*Main image @NottinghamRugby the green in whites back in Bay action under the lights.