MATCH PREVIEW: ‘TJs HAVE LOTS OF VERY GOOD PLAYERS’

DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds is hoping the weather stays dry ‘more for the supporters than the players’ as Rams host Tonbridge Juddians tomorrow (3pm).

The Berkshire side dazzled in their opening home game against Dings Crusaders in Round Two, racking up a 73-24 success in the sunshine, but slipped up 31-17 in the miserable Manchester rain last week.

It leaves Rams with the same record as fifth-placed TJs, who have impressed on their return to Level Three.

Looking ahead to the contest, Seb admitted: “They’ve got lots of good players – it will be great to see Vinny (Everitt) again – and have started the season very well after having a brilliant title-winning campaign last year. It will be a big challenge.

“You can’t control the weather so it’s not something we worry too much about – it’s more a case of ‘if it’s dry how do we want to play, if it’s wet how do we want to’ – and that’s something we have to learn with this young group.

“But more for the supporters you want a dry day, a good game of rugby, a few beers flowing in the sunshine and ideally the same as Dings.

“It was a brilliant atmosphere – I always say it, but it truly just gets better and better.

“The crowd has been swelling in the past few years and they give the guys fantastic support. Our players love it.”

Hosts make changes after Sale loss

Rams make four changes to their starting line-up with record-breaker James Baker extending his appearance tally to 441 at prop, Bath loanee Tom Cowan given a debut in the back row, Louis Pereira taking the scrum-half jersey and Lukk Graham fit-again on the right wing.

Jasper Spandler also comes onto the bench.

And Seb said: “Tom had a fantastic performance including a try against Exeter last weekend, and he’s had a good week training with us so gets the shirt.

“He’s a lovely lad and it will be great to give him a debut.

“I’m also so pleased for Luke. It’s not been an easy road for him, but he’s a young player with a massive future ahead of him.

“It didn’t quite work out for him at Bath last year, but he’s got an opportunity here, has a fantastic attitude and he was superb against Bristol University.

“It’s great to have him back out there.”

Tickets for tomorrow’s game can be bought here at the reduced adult rate of £16.50, on the day for £18.50