The Nuns are in home action against local rivals Lichfield this weekend as they look to bounce back after defeat at Doncaster Phoenix last weekend. A telling factor last in last week’s defeat was not respecting possession and so the training focus has been to maintain possession to create pressure on the opposition. Too many times the ball was given up through poor options and inaccuracy and the players have worked hard to correct that this week. Both teams come into the game on the back of defeat, the Nuns 24-7 at Doncaster and Lichfield 45-19 with Newport. Last season is was one victory a piece and if the Nuns can pick up a win tomorrow it will leave Lichfield with three defeats to start the season and the hosts could move into the top 6.

The Saxons are back in action this weekend with a league game at Birmingham/Solihull after a blank weekend.

The Colts are still looking for a fixture after Earlsdon and then Marker Bosworth pulled out.

Team news: the front row remains the same for the third game in a row, in the second row Wills Messum is unavailable and Arron Turner rotates to the bench and so Adie Hall packs down alongside Sam Wallis. Todd Bullions comes back into the back row at number 8 with Dave Melville moving across to blindside flanker for Arron Skyrme who has a hand injury.

Two changes in the backline with Tom Smitham unavailable and so Huw Thomas comes back in and it is a debut for young Fijian talent Nemani Rayabo who comes in for Sion Cowdy who has injured a hip.

Ryan Leake, Arron Turner and Moses Liwaliwa make up the bench.

Squad to play Lichfield RFC, number 1 pitch 3pm:

Nuneaton	Position	Position Sponsor
James Redman	1	Mark Gardner
Dale Bowyer	2	Brent Masser
Sam Greening	3	Ian Holt
Adie Hall	4
Sam Wallis	5
Dave Melville	6	Mark Mitchell
Danny Southall	7	Allan Taylor
Todd Bullions	8	Paul Griffiths
Huw Thomas	9	Paul Mitchell Home Improvements
Ben Cooper	10	Alibone/Carter
Nemani Rayabo	11	James Fletcher
Dylan Bale	12	Andy Kearns
Elliott Brown	13	Andy Webb
Jackson Hughes	14
Richard Johnston	15	Adam Jones
Ryan Leake	16
Arron Turner	17
Moses Liwaliwa	18

You can sponsor a position for £150 for the season, please contact sponsorship@nuneatonrugby.co.uk for more information.

Saxons squad to play Birmingham/Solihull away, 3pm:

John Graham, Joji Volaikisuva, Jon Pateman, Ed Taplin, Lewis Wilson, Jake Arms, Chris Smith, Olly Moreton, Callum Grant-Smith, George Wallis, Elliot Norman, Leigh Thompson, Marcus Holt, Matt Guilfoyle, Manasa Volaikisuva, Ash Leiua, Theo Knight, Ricky Hughes, Adam Stauvers, Ben Gilbert

Midlands Premier - Preview and Week 1

Week 2 - September 8

Luctonians continued their impressive start to the season with an easy win over Syston. Newport (Salop) won away at Lichfield. Scunthorpe made it 2 out of 2 with a win over Burton. Sandbach slipped up at Derby - as predicted. Bournville lost at Bridgnorth. Nuns got nothing from their visit to Doncaster Phoenix. Broadstreet didn’t concede a point in beating Sheffield.
Another week with 5 out 7 correctly predicted

Week 3 - September 15

The top two meet and I take Luctonians (1) to win at Newport (Salop) (2). Scunthorpe (3), at home, should have the edge over Derby (10). Sandbach (4) entertain Doncaster Phoenix (11) and home advantage will prevail. Bournville (5) to lose a close encounter with Broadstreet (9). Bridgnorth (6) should have no trouble at Syston (13). The Nuns (7) welcome local rivals and bottom of the table Lichfield (14). A bonus point win’s for the home side.

Anchorman