TEAM NEWS: ALBION NAME SIDE FOR NATIONAL 1 OPENER AT ROSSLYN PARK
Plymouth Albion have named their first starting XV of the 2026/27 National 1 season as Ryan Lamb’s side prepare to face Rosslyn Park at The Rock on Saturday.
After a positive pre-season, competitive rugby returns with a major early test against the side that finished immediately behind Albion in fourth place last season.
New signing James Kenny starts at loosehead prop alongside Harry Wilkinson and Co-Captain Dan Pullinger, while Club Captain Huw Taylor starts in the second row alongside another summer arrival, Morgan Eames.
Jake Clemson, Sam Daly and Ben Moa complete the pack.
Co-Captain Jack Oulton starts at scrum-half alongside Iwan Jenkins, with Noah Fenton and Archie Hill in the centres.
Chris Preen makes his competitive Albion debut on the wing, with Oscar Stewart and Henry Sellick completing the back three.
There is further strength among the replacements, with Rhys Williams, Cameron Doak, Angus Hodges, Jarrad Hayler and Morgan Stone all named.
Starting XV
- James Kenny
- Harry Wilkinson
- Dan Pullinger (CC)
- Huw Taylor (C)
- Morgan Eames
- Jake Clemson
- Sam Daly
- Ben Moa
- Jack Oulton (CC)
- Iwan Jenkins
- Noah Fenton
- Archie Hill
- Chris Preen
- Oscar Stewart
- Henry Sellick
Replacements:
16. Rhys Williams
17. Cameron Doak
18. Angus Hodges
19. Jarrad Hayler
20. Morgan Stone
A Major Opening Test
There will be no easing into the new campaign for Albion.
Rosslyn Park finished fourth in National 1 last season and have strengthened considerably over the summer while retaining much of their existing squad.
The arrivals of Rory Jennings, Josh Barton and Fred Davies have caught the eye, while exciting back-three player Charlie Coe is another new addition. Park confirmed 34 players had re-signed for the new campaign, giving Head Coach Steve Neville considerable strength in depth.
They have also enjoyed a positive pre-season. Park recorded a 26-7 victory over Esher before beating newly relegated London Scottish 34-19 at The Rock.
Founded in 1879, Rosslyn Park are one of English rugby’s historic clubs and The Rock has long represented one of National 1’s most challenging away trips.
Albion know exactly what awaits.
Head Coach Ryan Lamb said:
“The group are buzzing to get back into competitive rugby and Rosslyn Park is definitely one of the toughest away trips for us.
“To have them in the first game of the season is obviously a huge task, but it’s one that all the guys are very excited for. It will be a good marker of where we are after pre-season.
“We’ve had a few knocks along the way, as you expect through pre-season, but there’s been really good competition across the squad and now we’re ready to get started.”
The Season Starts Here
Saturday marks the beginning of a demanding opening block for Albion, with trips to Rosslyn Park and newly promoted Camborne before National 1 rugby returns to Brickfields.
Albion’s first home league fixture takes place on Saturday 19 September, when newly promoted Sheffield visit Brickfields for a 1500 kick-off.
For now, all attention is on The Rock.
Rosslyn Park v Plymouth Albion
Saturday 5 September
The Rock
1500 kick-off
National 1. Round One. We’re back.
