Thurrock travel to Belsize Park for the first time in their history on Saturday with a raft of changes to the squad.
With more players returning from injuries suffered during pre-season and the first few games of the league campaign, the 1st team squad has proven that they have the depth to challenge towards the top end of the table following narrow defeats to promotion favourites Medway, Westcombe Park and Camberley.
In total, there are 9 changes to the side that lost last Saturday to Camberley. Dan Carey returns to Prop after his successful return from injury last week from the bench. A change at Hooker sees Dan Ulph in for the absent Ryan Wilkins, with Chris Shorter continuing alongside them in a dynamic and powerful front row. Tom Wileman returns in the 2nd row alongside the ever present Tani Loka. One change in the back row sees the return of Joss Nunn for the first time in the league this season following an injury in our final pre season game back in August as he joins Sam Reilly and Captain, Charlie Russo.
Also returning for the first time this season is former England 7s star, Sam Stanley having finished his post season holiday in Sicily to take his place at fly half and resume his partnership with Jake Bedding at 9.
There is also one change in the centres following the injury to Henry Bird last weekend that sees Phillip Ellis come in at 12 after his impressive game against Camberley to partner Kiwi, Dylan Fearon.
The combo of Jake Barrand, Kye Holloway & Niall Clifford make up the back 3.
The last 3 changes are all on the bench as Lewis Cross returns following a solid game for the 2nds last week. Following his representative duties for the England Police team in Hong Kong, Earl Gorman returns alongside potential debutant, Harry Ferguson in an exciting bench.
The only other senior game of the weekend will see the T-Birds host Henley ladies on Sunday at Oakfield with kick off at 3pm
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