This weekend we have a home pre-season contest in store at Footes Lane.

The Vikings host follow against fellow level 7 side Beccehamian RFC on the Club Pitch. Last season the English visitors had a successful campaign in Counties 1 Kent, finishing second and narrowly missing out on promotion to level 6.

This is not ‘Beccs’ first visit to Footes Lane, last season they also travelled over for a pre-season contest which produced the most exciting match up. The Vikings prevailed by a solitary point on that occasion, and they will no doubt looking to leave the island with a result this time. This looks set to be another interesting contest.

Layton Batiste’s side had a fairly strong first outing last weekend against Jersey seconds, coming away with 19-26 victory across the water.

The big takeaway from that match was the quality of the Vikings defence, as they fronted up to a physical Jersey side. This week he will be hoping they can build on that positive start, whilst refining and improving their attacking shape. That was a key takeaway from last weeks game.

Dan De Kock, Phil Le Noury and Dale Rutledge were the keys points of difference last week, with Rutledge also coming away with a hat-trick of tries in an assured performance at scrum-half. He will be unavailable for the start of the season however, as he picked up an injury late on in the match that is likely to keep him out for several weeks.

Two new young players from the Academy also made their debuts last weekend. Adam Giles started on the wing, whilst flanker Raif Carre came on at half-time. Both impressed, producing good performances and look likely to play more in a Vikings shirt this season.

Looking ahead to this week, Tom Creed returns to the side after missing last weekend. Brothers Will Creber & Tom Creber are also involved, pairing up in the centres.

Marcus Whitfield is another new player expected to make his debut from the replacements, whilst the Guernsey Raiders new prop, Nesta Nyamakazi, also gets some game-time in the front row.

Kick-off is now 2pm.

It is free entry down at Footes Lane, and there will be a bar pitch side. The clubhouse will also be open with live international rugby on the big screens.

The scheduled Barbarians match vs Royals RFC at 12pm has unfortunately been called off. News on the Barbarians next fixture will be announced soon.

Come on down to the lane this weekend and cheer on the Vikings, it’s going to be a cracker of a day!