The Vikings take on the Pirates this weekend, as St Jacques travel to Eastleigh on Saturday in Counties One Hampshire.

Fresh from their comeback victory last weekend, Layton Batiste's side are seeking to back up their home victory by securing their first away win of the season.

Eastleigh are a side that St Jacques have some experience of, having played both their 1st & 2nd XV's over recent years.

The last contest was a pre-season friendly in 2021, which the English side prevailed in handsomely. Since then however, the Vikings have evolved, working their way through the RFU leagues to now have the opportunity to take on the Pirates competitively again.

10 years ago, St Jacques faced Eastleigh in the Hampshire Cup at the KGV. That was the first game against competitive UK opposition for the club in some time, and which ultimately led to them joining the English leagues for the first time the following season.

Last weekend Eastleigh were undone 57-22 by Havant II's at Hook's Lane, but started the season with a 34-10 home victory over their local rivals, Trojans. They are an experienced team at level 7, and this provides an exciting early season encounter for the Vikings to make a statement.

Layton Batiste was pleased to see the Vikings produce an excellent second-half performance last week, having been 19-3 down at the break. This week however, he will be hoping they can bring that improved performance level from the first whistle.

Taylor Quate returns to the Vikings' side at outside-centre this week. This will be his 50th appearance for the club, and after injury troubles and work commitments impacted his availability last season. He will be hoping to be able to string together a run of performances this season.

Quate is undoubtedly one of the 'x-factor' players for the Sarnian side, and when he is in good form he is a dangerous player.

Last week Jason Batiste performed excellently, but he is not able to make the trip this weekend. Taking his place at inside-centre is Ivan Donaldson this week.

For the first time in a whole year, all three of the Smith brothers are included in a Vikings squad. The youngest brother, Michael, has returned from a year in Australia, he starts amongst the replacements.

In the starting front-row, man-of-the-match last week JP Phelan is named, alongside James Mroch and Tom Bray.

Mitch Smith returns to the second-row with Keiran Williamson, whilst Jacob Smith is at no-8. Chris Croft and young debutant Raif Carre complete the forwards unit.

Carre is the captain of the Rugby Academy Colts side, he impressed in his only pre-season appearance against Jersey Seconds, and will be looking to stake a claim for a regular slot in the St Jacques back-row.

Angus MacCallum has been recalled to the Guernsey Raiders side this weekend, Dan De Kock remains absent through illness, whilst Tom Creed is also unavailable.

Adam Giles continues to partner with captain Tom Veillard in the half-backs, whilst out wide Jamie Mahy and Cameron Le Prevost start on the wings. Former captain Matt Lomas-Lloyd has shaken off the injury he sustained on the opening weekend to return at full-back.

Another long-term injury returnee is named on the bench. Tom Yarwood broke his ankle last season, but after a difficult period of rehabilitation he is now fit. He is a player who is on the cusp of the Raiders squad, and it is good to see him return.

Kick-off is 1pm in Eastleigh, hopefully the Vikings can continue to build on last week, and return home on Saturday evening with a deserved victory.