Pre-season Friendlies

Home or away ? 

Ealing have now confirmed:

Jersey Reds will test themselves against Gallagher Premiership opponents as they build up to the 2022/23 league campaign with home fixtures against London Irish and Bath Rugby.

London Irish will visit the Island during the last full week of August, culminating with a game against the Reds on the afternoon of Saturday August 27th. It will be the first meeting between the clubs since they locked horns during the 2018/19 Championship season, which included a memorable 17-14 home win for the Reds against their table-topping visitors.

The Reds last played Bath in a pre-season game at Stade Santander International in August 2014, with the visitors winning 10-34. A number of players have moved between the clubs since then, the most recent example being back row man Wes White earning an opportunity at the top level and leaving Jersey at the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign.

Jersey Reds against Bath will be played on the evening of Friday September 2nd.

Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon said: “We’re really looking forward to the new season and want to really test our new squad ahead of the Championship kick-off – that’s certainly what they’ll get against both London Irish and Bath.”

The Reds are set to have a further pre-season match, to be played on the third weekend of August, with details due to be announced shortly. The first round of the 2022/23 RFU Championship is scheduled to take place on the second weekend of September.

Coventry have now also announced the visit of Merthyr RFC to the BPA on Saturday 13th August.

Friday 2nd September Pirates vExeter 7.30 pm PSF

Edited by Stalwart - 04 Jul 2022 at 21:34

Geoff DC wrote: I think it's the 2nd Dave, not the 7th

I am still living the dream that Ampthill are about to enjoy a third season in the Championship.

This is a very serious league. I note that Jersey have lined up three preseason games against London Irish, Bath, and some team called Leicester Tigers. All in preparation for Jersey’s first proper match away to the mighty Ampthill.

Ampthill of course have lined up three similar games against The Wallabies, South Africa, and The All Blacks……..not.

castleparknight wrote: Cherub wrote: I am still living the dream that Ampthill are about to enjoy a third season in the Championship. This is a very serious league. I note that Jersey have lined up three preseason games against London Irish, Bath, and some team called Leicester Tigers. All in preparation for Jersey’s first proper match away to the mighty Ampthill. Ampthill of course have lined up three similar games against The Wallabies, South Africa, and The All Blacks……..not. That is some serious pre-season by Jersey - they will either come in to the start of season hot and be raring to go, or feeling a little bit battered and bruised which means opportunity knocks for Ampthill. We are still awaiting official confirmation of our games but two Prem Teams allegedly lined up - I would hope we have a run out game against a Nat 1 Team or a Welsh Prem Team but who knows.....

Spot on CPK Jersey have had pre-season friendly injuries to key players in the last couple of seasons. It's great for the local fans (and Jersey tourism) to have premiership opposition pre-season but on a personal basis I would have been just as happy to see old friends from Mose or Plymouth together with an away day in Brittany against a French club. 

gerg_861 wrote: I recall a few years back Ealing played Harlequins. It was extremely exciting to go to the Stoop, but then-Captain Sam Dickinson picked up an injury that kept him out for half the season. However, it is hard to argue for the professionalism of the Champ and then shy away from friendlies with the big boys.

gerg_861 wrote: I recall a few years back Ealing played Harlequins. It was extremely exciting to go to the Stoop, but then-Captain Sam Dickinson picked up an injury that kept him out for half the season. However, it is hard to argue for the professionalism of the Champ and then shy away from friendlies with the big boys.