Match Guide: Nottingham (A)

Make sure you’re ready to Saturday’s trip to The Bay as we prepare to face Nottingham.

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 17

Date: Saturday 18th March

Kick-Off: 2pm

Location: The Bay, Nottingham

Tickets: Available from £10 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage via Twitter: @EalingTFRugby

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE OPPOSITION:

Nottingham have had a tough start to 2023, but although they may have not always got the results they would have wanted, the performances have certainly been there.

The opening game of the year saw a valiant display down in Penzance as Cornish Pirates were able to grind out a 17-6 victory. They then faced the in-form Caldy, who won an exciting 17-29 affair before they travelled to Doncaster and faced a resurgent Knights side. With ten minutes left to play, the Archers were only five points down, but a late penalty followed by an intercept try saw the hosts win it 32-17.

After a difficult January, their first win of the year came in the Championship Cup as they beat Hartpury at the Bay 24-12. They were quickly bought back down to earth however, with three tough away trips, first to Trailfinders Sports Club and then Stade Santander and Dillingham Park. They were then back at home, facing Hartpury again, this time in the league, but were unable to achieve the same result, as the West Country men ran out 31-45 victors. Last weekend the Archers made the trip down to London to face Richmond. Despite not having won for over a month, they put in an impressive first-half performance which saw them run out 17-28 winners at the RAG.

LAST TIME WE MET:

It was just over a month ago that we last faced the Archers, in round five of the Championship Cup.

A sensational first-half blitz saw us wrap up the try bonus inside 25 minutes as Cian Kelleher, Simon Uzokwe and an Alun Walker brace early on ensured the extra point.

Further scores from Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Jordan Burns, Jonah Holmes and Will Montgomery saw eight tries in total inside the first half as we went in at the break 52-7 up.

Although the second 40 didn’t see quite as many points, Kyle Whyte, Max Bodilly and Uzokwe all dotted down to see us run out 71-14 winners.

FORM GUIDE:

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Ealing Trailfinders 66-0 London Scottish (Saturday 11th March)

Click here to watch match highlights

W: Richmond 0-50 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 4th March)

Click here to watch match highlights

W: Hartpury 28-38 Ealing Trailfinders (Friday 17th February)

Click here to watch match highlights

Nottingham:

W: Richmond 17-28 Nottingham (Saturday 11th March)

L: Nottingham 31-45 Hartpury (Friday 3rd March)