Make sure you’re ready for our trip to Jersey this weekend, as we face the Reds in this potential Pool 1 Cup decider.

JERSEY REDS V EALING TRAILFINDERS – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP CUP- ROUND 4:

Date: Saturday 4th February

Kick-Off: 2pm

Location: Stade Santander International, Jersey

Tickets: Available from £15 – click here to purchase tickets.

Coverage: Live coverage will be available via our Twitter feed.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE OPPOSITION:

Jersey Reds got their Championship Cup campaign of to the best possible start after two strong performances against Nottingham and Hartpury.

Visiting The Bay is tough for any opposition, which makes their 12-38 victory even more impressive! They then returned home to Stade Santander International and ran out comfortable 55-24 victors to make them 2/2.

The final Cup game of the first block came at Trailfinders Sport Club, as the two only undefeated Championship teams locked horns. It was a physical, hard-fought battle which saw Trailfinders eventually edge it 22-13.

Jersey however, put this one defeat behind them and kicked on in the league, keeping up their 100% record all the way up until Christmas Eve when they travelled to TFSC again.

After some weeks off, they started 2023 with an impressive comeback performance away at Coventry, coming back from 19-5 down with seven minutes to go, to draw 19-19. They used this momentum to gain maximum points in the last two league games to close the gap on Trailfinders at the top of the table.

Both Jersey and Trailfinders have strong chances of progressing in the Cup, with there being one ‘best runner-up’ spot, but the winner on Saturday will see themselves in pole position to top Pool 1.

LAST TIME WE MET:

It was just over a month ago that we faced Jersey Reds, as they travelled to TFSC on Christmas Eve. Both sides arrived there unbeaten in the league ahead of this festive blockbuster and it was Reuben Bird-Tulloch who got the hosts off to the perfect start.

Jersey responded immediately to make it 7-5, before almost heading in front from an intercept, but Jonah Holmes did superbly well to hunt down Brendan Owen and tackle him 15 metres before the line. With this momentum, Cian Kelleher was able to score Trailfinders’ second, before Craig Hampson added a third just after the half-hour mark. James Dun was able to dot down just before the break for the visitors to make it 19-12 at half-time.

The second 40 saw the Reds come out of the blocks quickly, but they were unable to capitalise. Then, with their first attack of the half, Hampson sold the most outrageous dummy from close range to grab his brace.

A Craig Willis penalty was then diffused by a third Jersey try, before Hampson put Ross Kane in for his first ever try in professional rugby.

With the game heading for the end, Jersey grabbed their bonus point score, but it was Willis who had the last say as he was bundled over in the final moments before converting his own score, making it Ealing Trailfinders 43-22 Jersey Reds.

FORM GUIDE:

Jersey Reds:

W: Cornish Pirates 25-34 Jersey Reds (Saturday 28th January)

W: Jersey Reds 24-22 London Scottish (Saturday 21st January)

D: Coventry 19-19 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 14th January)

Ealing Trailfinders:

L: Ealing Trailfinders 19-22 Coventry (Saturday 28th January)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Hartpury 13-26 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 21st January)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 35-24 Ampthill (Saturday 14th January)

Click here to watch match highlights.