SSgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) will get a timely taste of Premier 15s action this weekend, having been included in the Harlequins squad which faces Worcester on Saturday.
SSgt Mullen has been captaining the Army Senior Women over the past couple of months, and with the Inter-Services Championship just around the corner she will get time in England’s top flight to add to her minutes in the red shirt.
SSgt Mullen is on the bench, with Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA) retaining her place in the starting line-up.
Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 1500hrs, is Harlequins’ game in hand on the three teams ahead of them in the Premier 15s table, and a bonus point win will bring them level with Exeter Chiefs.
The form guide may point to a Harlequins win, but they will not be taking the Warriors lightly, not least because they pushed second-placed Bristol all the way last weekend, and because tomorrow’s hosts went down to Saracens.
In the Premiership it is no surprise to see Pte Ratu ‘Siva’ Naulago (Yorks) retain his place in Bristol’s starting line-up, the winger having scored two tries in two matches since returning from injury.
Pte Naulago’s return has bolstered Bristol’s recent run of form in the Premiership, the Bears having won their last four matches, and all with bonus points.
Meanwhile London Irish – Friday’s visitors to Ashton Gate – have seen their last five matches be won by that day’s home team, and they have not won in Bristol since November 2008.
Friday’s game kicks off at 1945hrs, the same time as Gnr Senitiki Nayalo (7 Para RHA) lines up in the Coventry back row for their Championship trip to Nottingham.
Gnr Nayalo has also recently returned from injury but has yet to taste victory in the blue and white, Coventry having had a bye-week following their home defeat to Cornish Pirates a fortnight ago.
Coventry’s results have been hit and miss this season, but they will be looking for a win away to a Nottingham outfit which has not been victorious since mid-November.
Finally, LCpl Semesa Rokoduguni (Scots DG) returns to his more familiar position on the wing for Bath’s Premiership trip to Wasps on Saturday afternoon (KO 1500hrs).
Bath’s winning run came to a shuddering halt away to Saracens in the last round, and things do not get much easier this Saturday against a Wasps outfit which has beaten Saracens, Toulouse and Leicester in their last three home matches, and achieved a stunning late comeback win away to Exeter Chiefs last time out.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks. Header and Featured Image © Alligin Photography, Lee Crabb
