Jones gets chance to state case in midfield
LEWIS JONES is itching to show what he can do as Ealing look to burst Jersey’s bubble and send the Channel Islanders crashing back to earth.
Jersey go into the game having become the first side to beat London Irish, scoring a belter of a try from Augustin Slowik that has received over half-a-million views on digital media.
“Jersey are coming off the back of a good win against London Irish and are on an emotional high but we’re at home and we want to take advantage of that and play expansively,” the centre said.
Jones, who is 100 per cent English despite his Welsh-sounding name, anticipates a free-flowing encounter.
“In previous years Jersey have been typically a more conservative team and have prided themselves on their pack. But I think this year with their recruitment, they’ve added a bit more flair to their back line.
“In our review sessions, we’ve taken note of their ability to play a bit more and have looked at how we can shut that threat down.”
On a personal level, Hemel Hempstead native Jones is looking forward to making a major contribution as Ealing attempt to add the Championship Cup to the British & Irish Cup that sits proudly in the trophy cabinet at Vallis Way.
Previously on the books of Northampton, the former Leeds Beckett University student said: “I’ve been in and out the squad this season. Guy Armitage has had the lions’ share of selection and it (midfield) is just like every other area here, it’s very competitive.”
Jones is one of nine new additions to the side that surprisingly lost to Nottingham last time out.
Jake Ellwood, Matt Cornish and George Davis start in the front-row with Harry Casson and Jordan Onojaife combining in the second-row. Kieran Murphy, Andrew Durutalo and captain Rayn Smid make up the back row.
Ryan Foley is joined by Sam Olver in a new-look half-back combination, whil Pat Howard partners Jones in midfield.
Seb Stegmann, Howard Packman and Segundo Tuculet form an exciting back-three with plenty of pace between them.
Jones added: “We’ve had a hard look at ourselves, Nottingham was below par, we know that. It is a hard place to go to, but we didn’t do ourselves any justice,” he acknowledged.
As for their Championship Cup ambitions, Jones added: “We want to win it and we’re going for it.”
In seeking to maintain the winning run, Reds' head coach Harvey Biljon has resisted the urge to make too many changes to his squad.
Two of the four changes to the starting XV are in the backs, with Jason Worrall and Brett Herron selected on the wing and at fly-half. In the forwards, Roy Godfrey returns for his first start in five weeks, after a strong showing as an impact replacement against the Exiles, and Charlie Beckett partners captain Jerry Sexton in the second row.