Walker leads Ealing Trailfinders in first pre-season clash

Alun Walker will captain Ealing Trailfinders as they play the first of their three pre-season matches, against Newport at Vallis Way on Saturday.

The Scotland ‘A’ hooker joined the Club from Nottingham Rugby over the summer and he will pack down between props Will Davis and Nathan Buck as the team plays their first match on the new 3G synthetic surface.

The match against the Welsh side kicks off at 15.00 at Vallis Way and entry is free. There will also be a barbeque and a chance for fans to meet the new players and catch up with those returning to W13.

“It is our first game and an opportunity to see how well the guys have gelled so far,” Director of Coaching Ben Ward said. “I expect it to be quite frantic at the start but hopefully we can settle into our patterns and shapes.

“It is also a great opportunity for our supporters to see the new pitch and meet the players after game.”

Alex Walker and Matt Jarvis form an all-Welsh half-pack pairing and their fellow new boy James Love starts at fullback.

The three-quarter line is made up of four familiar faces; Tom Wheatcroft and Ronnie McLean begin in the centres, with wings Sam Wardingley and Chris Kinloch outside them.

In the pack twins Carwyn and Llewelyn Jones form the second row and behind them number eight Sean O’Connell is flanked by Alex Bradley and Danny Kenny.

Following the match against Newport, Bedford Blues visit Vallis Way on 23 August and a week later Ward and his team complete their pre-season preparations away to Moseley on 30 August.

Ealing Trailfinders v Newport, Vallis Way, 15.00
1 Will Davis
2 Alun Walker (captain)
3 Nathan Buck
4 Carwyn Jones
5 Llewelyn Jones
6 Danny Kenny
7 Alex Bradley
8 Sean O’Connell
9 Alex Walker
10 Matt Jarvis
11 Sam Wardingley
12 Tom Wheatcroft
13 Ronnie McLean
14 Chris Kinloch
15 James Love
Reserves
Jamie Kilbane
Kevin Davis
Alex Penny
Paul Spivey
Mike Walker-Fitton
Arthur Ellis
Tom Parker
Ben Ward
Andy Reay
Phil Chesters