Leading try-scorer from last season, hooker Harry Bicknell, got his first of this campaign in the opening 26-15 success at Bristol University a fortnight ago, and is likely to start at hooker.
The props in the squad are summer signing from Swansea University, Max Marshall, Reading Uni powerhouse Archie Downing and last year’s Colt, the formidable Obi Nwachuku.
Liam Elston – who came off the bench for the 1st XV against both Dings Crusaders and Sale FC – and youngster Paddy Jackson both enjoyed eye-catching pre-season performances in the second row, while Max Brown can also play in the engine room.
The Cardiff Met recruit was outstanding starting at No. 8 in Bristol, and is joined in rounding out the pack by last year’s two-term Colts’ skipper Aaron Preston and two more recent additions, Judd Greenhalgh and Will Burrows.
First-team talent among three-quarters
Scrum-halves Ollie Hodgson and Louis Pereira have both started National One fixtures this term, the latter enjoying a first-time debut in Saturday’s 40-19 home victory against Tonbridge Juddians.
Former Scotland Under 20 fly-half Harris Rutherford pulled the strings nicely in Bristol, with the versatile Theo Pett-Ridge also capable of playing anywhere from 10 to 15.
Jake Jackson impressed with a powerful second-half display last time out, while the similarly strong Oli Rhoads is another who will look to build on some eye-catching displays in the past six weeks.
Another who will look to get the side on the front foot is juggernaut Reading Uni and Berkshire Under 20s wrecking ball Isaac Tokura.
There is pace galore out wide with Polish international Tomek Pozniak joined by the flying Alex Mannhardt and Sam Bowen as options among the back three.
The game takes place at Army Stadium, Queen’s Walk, Aldershot, GU11 2JL
Development XV @ Army Under 23s
Forwards: Bicknell*, Brown, Burrows, Downing*, Elston, Greenhalgh, P Jackson, Marshall*, Nwachuku*, Preston.
Backs: Bowen, Hodgson, J Jackson, Mannhardt, Pereira, Pett-Ridge, Pozniak, Rhoads, Rutherford, Tokura.
