Fijian international set for Hartpury league debut

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Last Updated on Friday, 28 December 2018 11:44

Published on Friday, 28 December 2018 01:37

Top Championshiop rugby action returns to the Gillman’s Ground for the first time since October tonight, when Hartpury's visitors are league leaders and promotion favourites London Irish (1945ko).

The Red & Blacks know that results over the next few weeks, particularly in the home matches, will be critical to their chances of Championship survival.
 
The Exiles were clear winners in both of Championship Cup encounters against Hartpury and will be powerful again tonight.

Hartpury are close to getting their strongest group of players on the pitch. 
 
Back row forward, Rob Langley, remains a notable absentee, but otherwise most of the injury worries that have dogged the Gloucestershire side through the first half of the season appear to be resolving themselves.
 
Fijian international Akapusi Qera is set to make his Championship debut for the club.  
 
With Steve Leonard and Luke Eves (pictured) resuming their formerly successful partnership in the centres, the midfield has a familiar look, while young fly-half Sam Leeming gets the nod at 10.
 
England U-20 international Tom Seabrook and Ben Foley start on either wing, while Jake Henry is available, from the bench, for the first time in many matches.
 
Richard Bolt is selected at scrum-half, although Gloucester’s Charlie Chapman returns to offer a pacy alternative as a replacement.
 
Former Exiles prop, Dan Murphy, who played the final quarter versus Bedford, returns for his first start since October, having fully recovered from a calf injury.  In the back row, former Bristol skipper, Iain Grieve, is another to play his first game in more than two months after a long injury lay off.
 
There is one debutant among the replacements Hartpury student and Gloucester Academy prop, Olly Adkins, an AASE winner with Hartpury last season. 
 
Hartpury starting XV
 
1.      Dan Murphy
2.      Will Tanner
3.      Rupert Harden
4.      Joe Quinn
5.      Simon Linsell (c) 
6.      Akapusi Qera
7.      Tom Pashley
8.      Iain Grieve
9.      Richard Bolt
10.   Sam Leeming
11.   Tom Seabrook
12.   Luke Eves
13.   Steve Leonard
14.   Ben Foley
15.   Mike Wilcox

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