Match preview – Canterbury 1st XV V Worthing Raiders

CANTERBURY V WORTHING

There are changes to the squad which played at Blackheath. Prop Danny Herriott has a quad strain so is ruled  out. Cameron Macmillan moves to tight head and Eoin O’Donoghue, after a strong performance last week, starts at hooker. Tyler Oliver has recovered from his thumb injury so starts at Number 8 and it is hoped Elliot Lusher will be back among the replacements pending a late fitness test. .

 In the backs Lewis Hollidge returns in the place of Ross Gladdish and the familiar face of Sam Sterling makes his first appearance of the season on the bench.

Head Coach Matt Corer writes  “It might sound like I’m clutching at straws when talking about positives after conceding 40 points and losing, but in the huddle after Saturday’s game the players had some great learnings. To draw the second half 12-12 gave the players confidence that when we stick to the plan and use our strengths we are a match for anybody. The challenge for us is to take our performance from the second half and play like that from the first minute. The other big lesson was that from Blackheath’s four visits to our 22 in the first half they left with four converted tries; we had nearly as many chances but left empty handed. The focus this week is how we can turn those lessons into a better outcome. The players have been really committed to training and we have two strong teams selected with the Pilgrims also having an important encounter. I’m looking forward to another great weekend of rugby.”