Root ruled out for Old Pats showdown

Published 23 Nov 2009 15:00 0 Comments

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Redingensians have been dealt a major blow in the build-up to this Saturday's crunch National Three South West against second-placed Old Patesians.

Big lock Owen Root, who has been in impressive form, is ruled out with a suspected stress fracture.

Coach Alun Rise explained: "He felt a problem in his leg last week in training, but an X-ray hasn't proved conclusively yet what's wrong."

Chris Davies will deputise in the second row, otherwise the side is unchanged from that which beat Maidenhead 38-10 away a fortnight ago.

Rise warned: "We must be spot on this week against Old Pats. We have to be patient, get field position then create. The set piece will be crucial."

"In the contact situations we have to be ruthless but smart and not give a string of penalties away like we did against Maidenhead in the first half."

"And although we have won games a few times this season with 14 men we must cut out the yellow cards."

"I feel we are improving in certain departments such as the lineout. But this game will be another benchmark."

Gensians will be up against 35-year-old Rob Fidler, the former Gloucester, Bath and England lock, who took over as Pats player/forwards coach at the start of this season.

His side have lost only once this season - by a point at Bournemouth - and third-placed Gensians know that defeat could rule them out of even a play-off place.

Gensians: Abrahams; Clements, Swadling, Reynolds, Flynn; Chandler, Matthews; T Saunders, Dewland, Baker, Randall, C Davies, Watkins, Hopkins, Stapley. Reps: Clare, Hulland, Dunn.

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