Round three of the Premier 15s season, and Richmond are back on the road with a tough trip to Worcester Valkyries. The hosts are still hunting for their first ever Premier 15s victory, but after scoring four tries in a three point defeat to DMP Sharks last weekend, it’s clear that the changes at the Valkyries are having an impact.
One point separates the two sides at the foot of the table after two rounds, and Richmond know that a tough away trip lies in store. After a strong first half performance against Firwood Waterloo, three tries in nine minutes saw Richmond blown away last weekend – and coming off the back of the late rally against Loughborough Lightning in week one, the signs of life are there, it’s just putting it together for longer periods.
With that in mind, head coach Jonathan Griffin has opted to minimise the changes to a side who are finding their feet week by week. Jade Knight comes back in at scrum half in the only change to the starting side, with Tess Braunerova swapping to the bench. That means a second start on the bounce for new faces in Stevie Farrow up front, Anna Caplice in the back row and centre Vicki Jackson – whose try got Richmond going last weekend.
On the bench, meanwhile, impressive performances for the second team mean back rower Grace Moore gets a chance to impress, with her huge carries likely to get Richmond on the front foot when she comes on the field. Former Lightning youngster Bryony Pomfret is set to make her first league appearance, too, as the fly half comes in to offer another option in reserve.
With the development side playing against Worcester immediately after the first team, it’s set to be another exciting day on the road for Richmond, as the squad is once again tested to its limits – and given a chance to shine and impress with the strength in depth.
RICHMOND TEAM
15 Jade Wong
14 Emelie Hellgren
13 Vicki Jackson
12 Alicia McComish
11 Rachel Laqeretabua
10 Abi Chamberlain
9 Jade Knight
1 Laura Kapo
2 Alice Soper
3 Stevie Farrow
4 Rowena Burnfield
5 Claire Phelps
6 Becky Ball
7 Anna Caplice
8 Libby Povey
16 Alex Zdunek
17 Terangi Maeva
18 Sian Hobday
19 Grace Moore
20 Tess Braunerova
21 Bryony Pomfret
22 Emily A Stone
Courtesy of Richmond FC
