Royal Navy Make Late Change for Aussie Test
The Royal Navy have been forced into making a late change before today's match against the Royal Australian Navy. Fly half and playmaker Dane Smallbone has been unable to join the squad in time. As a consequence team captain Cowboy John (HMS Liverpool) moves to fly half with Jonny Stephen (CTCRM) taking the vacant 9 shirt. HMS Cumberland's Dale Sleeman moves to the bench. RN DoR, Lt Cdr Geraint Ashton Jones RN (Fleet) was upbeat about the change: "I don't think it alters the balance of our side at all. Jonny has been in excellent form all year and it is great for him to get the chance to start again in his perferred position. Many will recall how well he played against the French Navy at Burnaby Rd earlier this year. Cowboy's move to 10 still gives us a playmaker who fits the style of game we wish to play. I feel for Dane though but unfortunately he is required onboard. He will get his chance later in the season but that probably isn't any consolation as he was really looking forward to the match. It still looks a very exciting backline and hopefull there will be another great crowd at Brickfields tonight to cheer the team on. I felt they produced some good rugby on Friday night in awful conditions and with a dry track forecast for tonight both sides should be able to produce some attacking running rugby." The Royal Navy v Royal Australian Navy match kicks off at Brickfields, the home of Plymouth Albion, at 19:15 Monday 12 October. It is preceded by the RNRU Presidents XV playing the Royal New Zealand Navy at 16:00. The team in full now reads: The RN squad to face the RAN is as follows: 1. NA(AH) Kyle Mason * RNAS Yeovilton 2. Cpl Gaz Evans * HQ 3 Cdo Bde RM 3. AB(WS) Marc Roberts * HMS Bulwark 4. SLt Niall Copeland RN HMS Collingwood 5. Capt Stu McClaren RM RMR Bristol 6. Mne Kieron Morton UKLF CSG 7. Mne Mike Egglestone (U23) 45 Cdo RM 8. AB Will Cairns (U23) HMS St Albans 9. Mne Jonny Stephen CTCRM 10. POET(WE) Wayne John * HMS Liverpool (Captain) 11. AET Andy Vance * HMS Sultan 12. Logs CS Silvenusi Buinimasi * RNAS Culdrose 13. Mne Scott Llewellyn * Cdo Logs Regt 14. AB (Logs)Josh Drauniniu * CTCRM 15. Mne Rob Lloyd * 42 Cdo RM 16. O/Cdt Tom Blackburn (U23) BRNC 17. ETME Mark Jones (U23) HMS St Albans 18. O/Cdt Ed Gaught BRNC 19. NA Aaron Benton RNAS Culdrose 20. AB Dale Sleeman HMS Cumberland 21. NA Wilson Tulakepa RNAS Culdrose 22. Mne Aaron Humphries 45 Cdo RM