RAMS include nine debutants in their squad for the National One home opener against Sale FC tomorrow (3pm).
Six start in a side skippered by No. 8 Willo Bicknell, Max Hayman out with a broken foot.
Players’ Player of the Year in his maiden season, Willo is joined by first-time starter and German international Johnny Ireland, plus last term’s Tackling Trophy winner Aaron Tull in the back row.
Tight-head prop Sam Stirling is the second debutant, joined in the front row by the experienced duo of centurion Ant Marris and Army skipper Pete Austin.
Summer recruit Shay Sainsbury and teenager Paddy Jackson are in the engine room.
McKay takes No. 10 jersey
Scrum-half Ed Hoadley has the fourth first-time starter, former Ulster A stand-off Ross McKay, outside him as they look to get the three-quarters flowing.
Centurion Ellis Jones takes the No. 12 jersey, the second Army man, Matt Blee, alongside him in midfield.
The pair impressed in the pre-season friendly at Aberavon.
Canadian Sevens star Henry Kirwan debuts on the right wing with 75-capped Zach Clow on the other flank.
Last season’s second top try-scorer now has 48 to his name and will be eyeing up a half century.
The top points-scorer in the 2025/26 campaign, Mike Cooke (153), completes the side at full back.
Meanwhile legendary James Baker, into his 23rd campaign in the first team, will win a record-extending 462nd cap when coming off the bench at tight-head prop.
The other front-row reinforcements have less experience, hooker Harry Bicknell joined by debutant JJ Wozniak.
Also set for a first Rams appearance is flanker Ollie Stirling, who scored on his previous league outing at Old Bath Road for Clifton.
Finally, former Mini and OBB Division One Colts title-winner Theo Pett-Ridge rounds out the matchday 20.
Three more summer signings in second row Liam Saayman, scrum-half Matt Wickham and wing Oli Sedgwick are the travelling reserves.
Tickets can be bought at a discounted price before matchday by clicking here
Rams v Sale FC
(15-9, 1-8) Cooke, Kirwan, Blee, Jones, Clow, McKay, Hoadley; Marris, Austin, S Stirling, Sainsbury, Jackson, Tull, Ireland, W Bicknell ©
Replacements: H Bicknell, Baker, Wozniak, O Stirling, Pett-Ridge
Travelling Reserves: Saayman, Wickham, Sedgwick
