Match Preview

Richmond will kick off their National 1 campaign with an away trip to North Manchester, where they will face the newly promoted Sedgley Park. The match is scheduled to start at 14:30 at Park Lane, and tickets can be purchased at the gate.

The last encounter between these two teams took place on January 12, 2012, at the RAG, with Richmond emerging victorious with a score of 32-13. Now, after 11 years, they are set to meet once more this Saturday.

The squad, which featured 30 players last week, has been trimmed down to just 20. This poses a new challenge for Rob Powell and his team, as they will have to adapt to having three fewer replacements than what they were accustomed to in the Championship.

In the lineup, Alex Post takes the starting position at hooker, moving David Massey back to his regular role at blindside flanker. This adjustment, in turn, places Ethan Benson on the bench, providing cover for both the lock and the entire back row. Jake Monson steps in to start in the second row, partnering with Chris Te Mete.

Powell has made three changes to the backline. Luc Jones gets the nod at scrum-half in place of Matt Marsh, who will now serve as a substitute. Ted Landray starts at inside centre, shifting Hamish Graham to the left wing. The final change in the backline is the return of Alex O’Meara, who will occupy the right wing.

Richmond's front row is well-covered, with Vaughan Bentley capable of filling in at hooker and loose-head prop, while Ntinga Mpiko takes care of the tight side. Ethan Benson serves as the versatile replacement for the back five of the pack.

New signings Max Bliss and Matt Marsh round out the remaining spots on the bench, providing coverage for the backline.

Starting XV (1-15)

Conor Maguire - Sponsored by Biscay Boys
Alex Post - Sponsored by Andrew Gordon
Jimmy Litchfield - Sponsored by Robert Vallings
Chris Te Mete - Sponsored by Patrick Way
Jake Monson - Sponsored by Andy Quigley
David Massey - Sponsored by Tim Mott
Toby Saysell - Sponsored by Liz & Stewart Barlow
Mark Bright © - Sponsored by Graham Tallings

Luc Jones - Sponsored by Tony Dorman
Tom Smith - Sponsored by David Whibley
Hamish Graham - Sponsored by Rory Graham
Ted Landray - Sponsored by Caroline Habberfield
Alec Coombes - Sponsored by Willie Munday
Alex O’Meara - Sponsored by Tim Forrester
Will Kaye - Sponsored by Noble Day Associates

Replacements

Ntinga Mpiko - Available to Sponsor
Vaughan Bentley -Sponsored by James Espey
Ethan Benson - Sponsored by Aaron Adams
Max Bliss - Sponsored by Fundipedia
Matt Marsh - Available to Sponsor