Following the continuation of their strong start to the season last weekend at the Brickfields, Plymouth Albion take a trip to County Durham to face Darlington Mowden Park on Saturday.
Mowden Park come into round five of the National League 1 campaign having won two of their opening four games, scoring 85 points in the process.
They paid a visit to Blackheath last Saturday and, following a 43-13 defeat, are looking for a response at the Darlington Arena.
Ryan Lamb’s side saw off newly-promoted Leicester Lions last Saturday at home, making it three successive wins. The victory also ensured maximum points in both of their opening two home games so far this campaign.
We have yet to record less than two points in any of our opening four games thus far and, with Rams boasting a 100 per cent record at present, scoring high is paramount as ever.
Last season’s meetings:
We dispatched DMP at home last November with a 36-2 win, before this weekend’s opponents grabbed a win of their own in the reverse fixture at the Darlington Arena. We did, however, claim two bonus points in the defeat.
Team News:
Ramaz Rukhadze makes his way back into the starting line-up as Dan Pullinger goes from the bench following his fantastic try against Leicester, while Dan Collier comes back into the starting 15. Angus Hodges moves back into the back row having played excellently in the second row in each of the last two games.
Jack Oulton comes back in for Morgan Stone, whose minor injury keeps him out of this weekend’s fixture. Connor Eastgate makes his first start of the season at Centre alongside Archie Hill.
Tom Cowan-Dickie returns to the squad after last week’s absence, as does Jake Bond. After being on the side lines for over a year, Jesse Lowe is also on the bench and set to potentially make his first Plymouth Albion appearance.
Sonny Hirini and Gabe Mead have been rested, but the latter is on standby should we pick up any injuries ahead of kick-off.
The Team in Full:
- Ramaz Rukhadze
- Harry Wilkinson
- Jenson Boughton
- Dan Collier
- Brad Howe
- Angus Hodges
- Torin Clarke
- Sam Daly
- Jack Oulton
- Phil Jones
- Craig Duncan
- Archie Hill
- Connor Eastgate
- Seta Raumakita
- Tom Putt
Replacements:
- Tom Cowan-Dickie
- Dan Pullinger
- Jake Bond
- Pita Ratukadreu
- Jesse Lowe
