Last week saw Petersfield clinch a win in their first outing of the season at home against a difficult Tottonians side, the match finishing 17-15 in a tightly fought contest. While perhaps not the best showing in discipline for the home side, with 3 yellow cards accrued, the boys defence did not falter and managed to keep the visitors to only 3 points in the second half. This grit and determination will need to be on show again this weekend in order to beat a well drilled Winchester side who finished 3rd in the league last year.

Winchester started their season with a strong win against Reeds Weybridge, a comfortable result of 12-43 on the road. Having one of the largest academies in the county helps Winchester produce bags of home grown talent, with many players in their starting XV coming up through the ranks and earning their place in the team on Saturday. Similarly, their more experienced players are no stranger to county rugby, with many earning honours last season for Hampshire’s side in the championship run. It will be a difficult journey to make but the boys have been working hard to get in shape and hope to make it 2 out of 2 to start the season.

As we look at the Petersfield side for this weekend, there are more than a few changes. Sam Janaway shifts into the starting XV, accompanied by the ever committed Sam Brown and Dan Sargent to form a front three capable of shifting all over. Franko Tomic remains in the row, this time joined by Oli Hunt who gets his first run out of the season. Zac Conley shifts into the back row, while Jack Janaway keeps his spot and Karter Whittock enters the starting line-up at number 8. Normally a flanker, Whittock has been tasked with moving to 8 this season to continue dominating the contact zone. A strong pack who will be hoping to face up and start with some dominant scrums.

In the backline, Dan Chinnock impressed last week with a big defensive contribution alongside efficient distribution so will keep the 9 shirt. Joe Knowles was unavailable last week but gets his first run out of the season, this time at fly-half. Further shifts in the backline this week, as Ethan Horsfall and Toby Colwood are moved to the wings, opening a centre partnership of Miles Sampson and Matt McLean. The team have emphasised versatility this preseason and will be putting this to the test against Winchester. Charlie Muir will finish the side at fullback and gets his first run for the year, with hopes of putting his pace on show.

It is a bench full of debutants this weekend. Firstly, we see Tom Ffrench-Lynch, a recent academy graduate who covers the front and back row. New recruits Tim Vreysen, back rower, and Tom Blewitt, back line, will also earn their stripes this weekend.