After a weekend off to enjoy the Six Nations, the real rugby returns to Penns Place this weekend as the Red and Green take on their Surrey counterpart, Guildford.

Many may remember Guildford being around for years, but as a club, they were officially formed in 2003 after a merger between Old Guildfordians RFC and Guildford & Godalming RFC, making them the youngest team in the league. This is the second time in their impressive history that there was a merger for Guildford, the last one coming in 1946.

The last time that Field and Guildford faced off was back in November, seeing the travelling Red and Green take an impressive 31-12 win on the road, revitalising their season after a string of defeats in a hard league. Do not expect a weak competition from Guildford, though. In their last fixture, they dominated North Dorset in a commanding 50-24 victory, a week after going toe-to-toe with 3rd place Tottonians in a 17-17 bout. The team who don blue are in the middle of a relegation battle, and points will be valuable if they are to overtake Chichester, currently sitting 4 points above them in the league standings.

Meanwhile, for Petersfield, it has been a challenging but enjoyable journey for their maiden season in Regional 2 South Central, as the players and coaching staff will agree. The competition has brought a handful of challenges such as injuries, longer travel, and, of course, the opponents along the way.

Field have only persevered in the face of adversity, trusting the squad while blooding exciting new talents along the way, with an abundance of the current academy system making their debuts this year and more fighting for their shirt. With only 4 games remaining in the season, the boys will be aiming to finish the league with a good run before they try their luck in a cup run!

Now, a look at the squad.

It is the usual suspects in the front row: Jackson Clark, Sam Brown, and Dan Sargent. Noticeably, Sargent is the top try scorer this season, an unusual feat for a tighthead prop.
Local giants Oli Hunt and Franko Tomic line up for a massive second row, as Matt Momber, Jack Janaway, and Liam Perkins make up a familiar back row.

In the backs, it’s also familiar faces but with some different positions. Joe Knowles and Nick Blumlein will be directing the squad around the field from their half-back positions.

Greg Jansen is joined by Miles Sampson, who picks up his first appearance in the 13 shirt this season after some dominating performances for the 2nd XV. Sam Dawes and Eddie Matthews will be wanting to continue their try-scoring antics of late, while Charlie Muir is given the keys at fullback.

On the bench, Sam Janaway provides serious front-row cover as Karter Whittock returns from injury. Finally, DoR Matt McLean completes the team to cover any position needed in the backline.

Starting XV to Face Guildford RFC

1. Jackson Clark
2. Sam Brown - Sponsored by Kirsty Armstrong
3. Dan Sargent - Sponsored by TN Luff & Partners
4. Oli Hunt - Sponsored by Chronos
5. Franko Tomic - Sponsored by The Petersfield Cleaning Company
6. Matt Momber
7. Jack Janaway - Sponsored by Somebody Digital
8. Liam Perkins - Sponsored by Rugby Against Cancer
9. Joe Knowles - Sponsored by Clare & Tim McCulloch
10. Nick Blumlien - Sponsored by Location Landscapes
11. Sam Dawes - Sponsored by Barrow Hill Barns
12. Greg Jansen
13. Miles Sampson - Sponsored by Somebody Digital
14. Eddie Mathews
15. Charlie Muir - Sponsored by Michael Buckley

16. Sam Janaway
17. Karter Whittock - Sponsored by JCB Greenshields
18. Matt McLean - Sponsored by MC Performance