Richmond have made three changes to its starting 15 for Saturday’s Championship clash against Cornish Pirates at the Athletic Ground (Kick-off 2pm, click here to tickets).

In-form hooker James Hadfield returns to the number two shirt, replacing Mike Perks who moves to the bench. Hadfield has scored five tries this season and will be determined to deliver another dominant display against the Pirates pack. In the backs, there’s two changes to the team that faced Jersey last Saturday, fly-half Ted Landray returns to the number 10 shirt, with sharpshooter James Kane switching to outside centre in place of the unavailable Lennox Anyanwu.

On the bench, exciting prop Luke Spring will get another opportunity at Championship level, while former Rotherham and London Scottish winger Ben Robbins is in line to earn his first cap. The 25-year-old played in both of Richmond’s preseason fixtures against Ampthill and Scottish and has since been in excellent form for the league-topping Richmond Vikings (2nd XV). Experienced utility back Hamish Graham also earns a recall to the Championship squad and starts on the bench.

Head Coach Rob Powell commented: “We’ve worked hard during the week to rectify the areas of our game that let us down against Jersey. We know Pirates are another huge challenge, they have a big pack and very sharp backs. We need to be switched on from the first play, control the game and set the tempo. It should be another entertaining game for our supporters and we’re looking forward to delivering a strong performance for them.”

Players unavailable due to injury include: Cameron Mitchell, Jack Allcock, Byron Hodge, Kurt Schonert, Henri Williams and Max Trimble.

Tickets are selling fast for tomorrow’s match, click here to purchase online. Alternatively, tickets are available at the front gate (card payments only). The curtain raiser features our Richmond Vikings hosting Jersey 2nd XV on Pitch 4 at 1pm, while our Richmond Normans face Worthing on Pitch 5, and our Saxons travel to Rams.

SENIOR FIXTURES - THIS WEEKEND:

Saturday:

• Richmond Vikings vs Jersey 2nd XV - KO 1pm - (Home - Pitch 4)
• Richmond Normans vs Worthing 2nd XV - KO 2pm - (Home - Pitch 5)
• Richmond Men 1st XV vs Cornish Pirates - KO 2pm - (Home - Pitch 1)
• Rams 2nd XV vs Richmond Saxons - KO 2pm - (Away)

Sunday:

• Dorking Colts vs Richmond Colts - KO 12pm - (Away)
• Bath Ladies vs Richmond Women - KO 2:30pm - (Away)

RICHMOND STARTING XV:

1. Jonny Harris
Sponsor: Andy Quigley

2. James Hadfield
Sponsor: Mark Derbyshire

3. Jimmy Litchfield
Sponsor: Robert Vallings

4. Freddie Hosking
Sponsor: Richard Adams

5. Will Carrick Smith
Sponsor: Denise Williams & Bob Scott

6. Huw Worthington
Sponsor: Stewart & Liz Barlow

7. Jared Cardew
Sponsor: Tim Mott Associates

8. Mark Bright (C)
Sponsor: Graham Talling

9. James Lennon
Sponsor: Peter Moore

10. Ted Landray
Sponsor: Martin Fletcher

11. Jake Caddy
Sponsor: Patrick Way

12. Ronnie Mclean
Sponsor: Dennis Yapp

13. James Kane
Sponsor: Simon Barber

14. Owain James
Sponsor: Anthony Sharp

15. Will Kaye
Sponsor: Noble Day Associates

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Mike Perks
Sponsor: Mike Stobart

17. Ntinga Mpiko
Sponsor: Chris Mills

18. Luke Spring
Sponsor: Available

19. Sam Collingridge
Sponsor: Colin Holman

20. Ethan Benson
Sponsor: Aaron Adams

21: Jack Stafford
Sponsor: Available

22: Hamish Graham
Sponsor: Kingsbridge Healthcare Group

23. Ben Robbins
Sponsor: Available

To sponsor a Richmond player above please email: toms@richmondfc.co.uk.