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Match Preview
MATCH PREVIEW
Injury problems have dictated the shape of the squad which travels to Bury St Edmunds on Saturday. Wing Frankie Morgan and flanker Alex Evans miss out after picking up head knocks at Barnes and must follow concussion guidelines. Also out of contention is Will Calder who has a muscle strain. Sherif Lanre fills the wing vacancy and makes his first start in the senior team. A reshuffle in the pack sees Jesse De Vries return to the second row with captain Jamie Stephens moving to Number Six. New front row signing Cameron Macmillan joins the replacements bench where Elliot Lusher returns after recovering from illness. Kick-off is 3pm.
There is good and admission free league rugby at The Marine Travel Ground on Saturday with the Pilgrims, who now sit third in Counties Kent 2, hosting Westcombe Park 2nd. Kick-off is 3pm and there are pre-match lunches available. Our 3rd are also at home to Sevenoaks 3rd.
CANTERBURY TALES
COODBYE AND THANKS ‘COOPS’
Last weekend saw the final appearance in a Canterbury shirt of prop Aaron Cooper who is joining Westcombe Park. ‘Coops’ has been an important and popular player for both the club and the Kent County team since joining from Dover in 2016. The game at Barnes last week was his 136th appearance for the first team. Typical of the great club man he has been Aaron cut short a holiday to join the squad at Barnes when Elliot Lusher had to withdraw through illness. Without Aaron we would have been short of the mandatory front row cover required in league games so we owe him a real debt.. At ‘Combe he will make it a family affair as he joins brother Joe on the player roster.
WELCOME CAMERON
Stepping into Aaron Cooper’s boots is Cameron Macmillan, a Scotland Under 20 and Glasgow Warriors Under 20 loose head prop who can play across the front row positions, He is due to make his first appearance in the Bury St Edmunds game where he is among the bench replacements. Cameron joins us from Scotland Super Six side Stirling Wolves.