Richmond have named a strong 26-player squad for Saturday's blockbuster preseason derby against London Scottish at the Athletic Ground (KO 3pm).

The starting forward pack remains unchanged following an impressive performance against Ampthill two weeks ago. Number 8 Mark Bright (181 Championship experiences) has been selected to go head to head with his former club and will form a formidable back-row partnership with the lethal Toby Saysell and the agile Graham Geldenhuys.

In the backs, fly-half Lewis Dennett returns to the starting XV to partner former Bedford scrum-half James Lennon. The versatile Jake Caddy moves from outside centre to the left wing, linking up with the electric Max Trimble (right wing) and the dangerous Will Homer (fullback). Skipper Cam Mitchell returns at outside centre and will partner Hamish Graham in the number 12 shirt.

The replacements bench features an exciting front-row trio of hooker Jack Musk (dual-registered Harlequins), powerful loose-head Kurt Schonert and talented tight-head Ntinga Mpiko (former Lansdowne FC). Elsewhere, there are returns for number 8 Huw Worthington, scrum-half Luc Jones and wing Alex Goble. New recruit Owain James (former Wasps) will get his first chance to impress in Richmond colours.

Head Coach Rob Powell said: “It’s been a very positive week of training, we have remained focused on the areas that we want to improve and develop. Scottish are always a very physical opponent, it will be a great challenge for our squad and I’m looking forward to seeing our players respond strongly in front of a big home crowd.”

The curtain-raiser features our Richmond Saxons kicking-off their league season against Rams 2nd XV at 1pm, while our Normans and Jutes play their first preseason fixtures against Old Alleynians and Teddington RFC.

RICHMOND FIXTURES - SATURDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER:

Richmond Men 1st XV vs London Scottish
Athletic Ground, Pitch 1, Kick-off 3pm

Richmond Saxons (3rd XV) vs Rams 2nd XV
Athletic Ground, Pitch 4, Kick-off 1pm

Richmond Normans (4th XV) vs Old Alleynians
Athletic Ground, Pitch 7, Kick-off 1pm

Teddington 1st XV vs Richmond Jutes (5th XV)
Teddington RFC, TW11 0EA, Kick-off 3:45pm

RICHMOND:

1. Jonny Harris
2. Callum Torpey
3. Jimmy Litchfield
4. Will Carrick-Smith
5. Sam Collingridge
6. Graham Geldenhuys
7. Toby Saysell
8. Mark Bright

9. James Lennon
10. Lewis Dennett
11. Jake Caddy
12. Hamish Graham
13. Cameron Mitchell (C)
14. Max Trimble
15. Will Homer

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Jack Musk
17. Kurt Schonert
18. Ntinga Mpiko
19. Byron Hodge
20. Jack Rouse
21. Huw Worthington
22. Jared Cardew
23. Luc Jones
24. Ben Robbins
25. Alex Goble
26. Owain James

LONDON SCOTTISH:

1. Curtis Reynolds
2. Nick Selway
3. Joe Rees
4. James Tyas
5. Eduardo Bolocco
6. Ehize Ehizode
7. Brian Tuilagi (C)
8. Tom Baldwin

9. Dan Nutton
10. Laurence May
11. Rory Hughes
12. David Halaifonua
13. Josh Drauniniu
14. Noah Ferdinand
15. Leo Fielding

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Jake Ellwood
17. Ben Atkins
18. Alex Gibson
19. Maurice Nwakor
20. Angus Southon
21. Cameron King
22. Jack Ingall
23. Rory Brand
24. Harry Sheppard
25. Sam Hanks
26. John Davetanivalu

REFEREES:

• Referee: Joe James
• Assistant 1: Michael Woods
• Assistant 2: Peter Brunt

Rob Powell Interview: Click here to watch our interview with Richmond Head Coach Rob Powell.

Cameron Mitchell Interview: Click here to watch our interview with Richmond skipper Cam Mitchell.

Match Tickets: Match tickets are available at the gate (£10 adults / U16 free). We are accepting card payments only.

Season Ticket Holders: Richmond season ticket holders do not need to purchase match tickets. Please give your name to the stewards at the front gate who will provide you with your free match pass.

Match Day Information: We ask all spectators to please click here to read our match day information before arriving at the venue.

Cashless Venue: All payments made inside the ground will be contactless. We are not accepting cash payments.

Safety Measures: If you develop COVID-19 symptoms within 10 days of the event (or you are self-isolating for any other reason under UK Government guidance) then you should not attend the venue. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms whilst at the venue, please notify staff immediately. Please continue to be mindful of others and wear a face covering when inside the venue if you feel necessary. There is hand sanitising gels located at various points at the venue and in the toilets. Please ensure you regularly apply hand santiser. All surfaces inside and outside the venue are sprayed and wiped down after each use. There is frequent cleaning of the kiosk, bar facilities and toilets.