After the announcement earlier in the week that Head Coach Neil Fowkes will be stepping down at the end of the season, Nottingham Rugby will face Hartpury this weekend still looking for their first win of the campaign having at least picked up their first bonus point against Coventry last time out.
Having had the Easter holiday weekend off, Championship rugby returns to action as Nottingham, currently bottom of the table after three games and three losses, travel to Gloucestershire to face a team in eighth position in the table, who themselves have lost three matches after winning their first game of the season against Richmond.
Last time out, Hartpury were trounced 75-19 against Ealing, a side who beat Nottingham 52-3 in the season opener and one that is top after winning each of their four games played, this weekend should be much tighter against two relatively matched sides, Nottingham have been completely transformed during the prolonged close season, but signs are that the side are now picking up momentum and getting closer to where they need to be.
The 24-36 defeat against Coventry at least shown promise for the Green and Whites but Fowkes will make three enforced changes to that team as Joe Browning, George Cox and Jake Farnworth all come in for Luke Mehson, Willie Ryan and Carl Kirwan.
Positive news is that ex Rotherham fly half Sam Hollingsworth and the exciting young Theo Manihera will be on the replacements bench and will hopefully get the chance to show what they can do.
Kick off is 4:30pm on Saturday and we’ll bring you the full report post-match.
Starting Team: Jack Stapley, Harry Graham, Charlie Thacker, Will Simmonds, Joe Browning, Matt Riddington, Michael Stronge, Aniseko Sio, Luke Cole, Karl Garside, Jac Price, Luke Frost, George Cox, Jake Farnworth, Jordan Coghlan.
Replacements: Shaun Evans, Ben Betts, Harri O’Connor, Jack Rimshaw, Willie Ryan, Alex Dolly, Sam Hollingsworth, Theo Manihera.
*Main image @NottinghamRugby Nottingham are still looking for that first win of the season.
