The Nuns return to home league action after two away defeats and they know that a win would be very welcome to keep them away from the lower end of the table this weekend when they entertain 9th placed Sandbach. ‘Bach are one point and one place below the Nuns with 40 points from their 18 games. When the teams met earlier in the season the hosts were victorious in a 46-41 thriller, the Nuns picked up some early injuries to cause disruption that day and know that they can threaten the visitors when in possession. Sandbach have picked up 6 wins, 2 draws and 10 defeats so far along with 12 bonus points.

Last time out for both teams resulted in two defeats. The Nuns had a 15-point half time lead, but it wasn’t enough to hold off a second half comeback at Syston going down 23-20. A little more composure at times in the first half could have seen a bigger gap at half time which may have been enough to secure the win. Sandbach went down 32-21 to Newport. Both teams have picked up just one win since the turn of the year.

The Club would like to thank todays sponsors –

Holland & Barrett and Clay/Warden Wealth Management for being the Match Sponsors

Coventry Sliding Doors for Sponsoring the Man of the Match Award

The Saxons game last weekend at Hinckley was postponed due to the freezing weather. They did collect a win in the last league fixture with a 31-20 win over Syston.

The Colts play for the first time in a few weeks with a visit to Market Bosworth for a friendly.

It’s week 2 of the 6 Nations this weekend and it started with a bang last weekend. All games will be shown in the club house with drinks promotions on throughout.

Scotland V Ireland 2:15pm
Italy V Wales 4:45pm
England V France 3pm SUNDAY

Team news: Dale Bowyer returns at hooker along with Ben Holmes who swaps with James Redman at loose head. Wills Messum has recovered from his concussion to come back in to the second row and will partner Adie Hall with Scott Makepeace unavailable due to work commitments. Danny Southall and Callum Grant-Smith start on the flanks.

In the backline, Ben Cooper moves from full back to fly half, Elliott Brown returns in the centre with Ben Kirby moving to full back.

The bench is made up of Redman, Tom Aherne and Huw Thomas.

Squad to play Sandbach RFC, Number 1 pitch 2:15pm:

Nuneaton	Position	Position Sponsor
Ben Holmes	1	Mark Gardner
Dale Bowyer	2	Brent Masser
Sam Greening	3	Ian Holt
Wills Messum	4
Adie Hall	5	Glyn Williams
Callum Grant-Smith	6	Mark Mitchell
Danny Southall	7	Allan Taylor
Leigh Thompson	8
Tom Smitham	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
Ben Kirby	15	Adam Jones
James Redman	16
Tom Aherne	17
Huw Thomas	18

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

Midlands Premier Round Up

Week 18 - 26 January

Scunthorpe won the “Match of the Day” beating Luctonians by 2 points. Newport (Salop) won at Sandbach to keep up their challenge for the top spot. Bridgnorth got back to winning easing past Derby. Broadstreet stretched their unbeaten run to 8 games in overcoming Burton. Sheffield won another home game beating Lichfield. Nuns couldn’t stop Syston winning their second game of the season. Bournville got the better of Doncaster Phoenix winning 29-26.

Week 19 - 8/9 February

Lichfield (10) entertain Bournville (7) on Friday night and I expect a home win. “Match of the Season” sees the league leaders Scunthorpe away at second placed Newport (Salop). I take the Salopians to win by 10 points. Bridgnorth (3) should be good enough to win at Doncaster Phoenix (13). Broadstreet (4) make the short journey to Derby (12) and should bag 5 points. Luctonians (5) have only one defeat at home (v Nuns) and will beat Sheffield (6). Nuns (8) hope to end a 3-match losing run when Sandbach (9) visit and I think they will. Burton (11) will outscore the plucky Syston (14).

Anchorman