Aaron Cooper, a recent recruit from Canterbury RFC where he made over 130 appearances in the National League, makes his debut this weekend in the front row. Cooper joins Jack Cowman at loosehead and Calum Harris at hooker for what will be a tough test away at Raven Park. Travis James returns to the squad as provides front row cover from the bench.

The second row sees Rafael Dutta and Aidan Devane link up to form a dynamic partnership in the engine room.

There is also a welcome return to the squad for Cameron Hyne who starts at openside for the first time since earlier in the season, he is joined in the back row by Michael Dunnett, making his first start, and skipper Nick Cook to form a mobile and energetic back row. Joe Cooper, also making his debut in the 1st XV, comes onto the bench as reinforcement for the back five.

The backline sees Jacob Buckley start at scrum half and Matt Harrison at fly half resuming their impressive partnership in the halves. Sam Rhodes comes in to start at inside centre joining James Burton at outside centre in the midfield.

Joe Ratcliff comes back into to start on the wing joining up with Kieran Thompson and Toby Wallace, resuming their impressive back three combination. Bradley Bateup starts on the bench as reinforcement for the backline.

There are a few notable absences in the squad this week. Josh Smith is making his debut for Jamaica vs. Gibraltar tomorrow in Birmingham, we wish Josh all the best for the game. We are also without Sam Fombo, who is getting married this weekend, we also wish Sam and his fiancé all the best on their big day.

Unfortunately, we are also without Elliot Roofe and Luke Murphy-Wooldridge (injured), Harry Hudson and Rob White (unavailable) from the last squad.

Squad vs. Colchester RFC
(15-9, 1-8): Wallace, Thompson, Burton, Rhodes, Ratcliff, Harrison, Buckley, Cowman, Harris, Cooper. A, Devane, Dutta, Dunnett, Hyne, Cook ©

Subs: James, Cooper. J, Bateup