Albion Travel To London for Second Consecutive Away Trip

For the second time this season, Albion are heading to the capital as we approach round 10 of the 2023-24 National League 1 season.

We come into this weekend top of the division by virtue of our 22-17 win over Chinnor in Oxfordshire last weekend, and Rams’ defeat at the hands of Sale.

While we may be on strong form following key victories over Blackheath and Chinnor in the last couple of weeks, the latter’s form prior to last weekend’s game is indication enough of the necessity to stay focused heading into every match day.

The upcoming meeting with Richmond is no different; the London-based side may sit eighth, but they are just nine points off top spot as they look to find a run of form.

They will come into Saturday off the back of two defeats on the trot to Blackheath and Cinderford, having recorded a victory at Sale just prior. That was a fourth win of the season for our fellow former Championship side.

Previous Meeting:

We last met Richmond at the Athletic Ground in 2019. In a tight, enthralling encounter, we came out on top on that November afternoon; Connor Eastgate kicked two vital conversions as Joe Snow, Josh Skelcey and Jamie Salter all went over the whitewash.

We were due to play them at the Brickfields in March 2020, but the season was curtailed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Team News:

Ryan Lamb makes two changes to the starting line-up that travelled to Oxfordshire last weekend, with Dan Pullinger coming back in while Jenson Boughton heads to the bench. Hallam Chapman is unavailable for selection this weekend, so Angus Hodges moves into the second row with Jake Bond slotting into Hodges’ Flanker role.

Seta Raumakita has recovered from illness to make it into the replacement pool alongside Gabe Mead, Boughton, Jack Wickham and Morgan Stone.

The Team in Full:

1. Ramaz Rukhadze
2. Harry Wilkinson
3. Dan Pullinger
4. Angus Hodges
5. Dan Collier
6. Jake Bond
7. Torin Clarke
8. Sam Daly
9. Jack Oulton (C)
10. Phil Jones
11. Craig Duncan
12. Connor Eastgate
13. Archie Hill
14. Robin Wedlake
15. Tom Putt

Replacements:

16. Gabe Mead

17. Jenson Boughton

18. Jake Bond

19. Morgan Stone

20. Seta Raumakita