Rugby: Physical battle expected when Sale visit Kingsey Road this weekend

CHINNOR RFC are back in Thame on Saturday, bidding to make it three games unbeaten in National League 1.

The Oxfordshire side have come through relatively similar tests against Canterbury and Rosslyn Park in the last fortnight, while the recent wet weather has led to ideal conditions for the forwards.

Callum Watson, who’s back in contention after recovering from a groin injury (image – London Scottish v Chinnor)

Chinnor sit fifth in the table and director of rugby, Matt Williams is backing his side to continue their recent run of results and stay in touch with the frontrunners. He said: “Sale will bring a big set-piece. They’ve got a very good scrum and line-out – heavy boys – not too dissimilar in structure to ourselves.
It will be another very physical battle, with 16 big guys going at each other and, depending on the weather, it could be another front forward battle.

“But I think we’re well prepared. Confidence in the camp is high. And as I said last week, it’s all about building momentum for us now; we’re back at Kingsey Road and it’s important we get the win.”

Chinnor are boosted by the return of scrum-half, Callum Watson, who has been sidelined for ten weeks with a groin problem, while lock, Ben Thomas, is suspended. Ehize Ehizode and Cameron Gray are set to continue in the second row and Williams was full of praise for the duo. He said: “They were great last week, I was really pleased with them. Ehize has been out for a long time; he missed all of pre-season, and he started to fight his way back to fitness through September. I think each week that he is playing now is another big step in the right direction for him.

“Cam Gray had to wait quite a while through September for his time and he’s taken his chance. I thought it was a very well-balanced second row pairing against Rosslyn and I’m excited to see them go and do it again.”

SOURCE: Jack Johnson