Rugby Union preview for Saturday, September 17

LAUNCESTON will look to build on their first victory of the season in the new Regional One South West when they head to Brixham this afternoon (2.30pm).

The All Blacks were well beaten at Camborne in their opener (39-7) but picked up an excellent five points last Saturday when they defeated Gloucester-based Old Centralians 36-22 at Polson Bridge.

Brixham also have a win and a loss to their name.

They produced the result of the season so far 13 days ago when they won at Weston-super-Mare, but were brought down to earth by Okehampton in West Devon last Saturday.

But with a first home game of the campaign to get stuck into, they are sure to provide the All Blacks with a massive test, while the Cornishmen will be desperate to turn around a record which has seen the Fishermen come out on top in recent encounters.

Last season saw Brixham edge a close one in North Cornwall while the return game saw a comfortable home win.

Launceston joint coaches Ian Goldsmith and Ryan Westren have made two changes to the starting 15 from last weekend as Ben Humber is available again and comes in at lock in place of Dom Theobald, while scrum-half Adam Collings is preferred to Corey Jenkinson, who drops to the bench.

Jenkinson will be joined by prop Rhys Carpenter and back-rower Harry Tomlin.

Brixham: Joel Ashworth, Matt Crosscombe, Connor Bedwell, JP Simonnetti, Jordan Green, Mitch Pinkus, Jamie Hext; Kai Alton, Koree Britton, Nathan Reeves, Scott Puleston (capt), Joey Capaldi, Mark Corner, Zack West, Jordan Watson. Replacements: Sam Bullock, George Weedon, Andre Simonnetti.

Launceston: James Tucker, Jack Statton, Tom Sandercock, Ryan Westren, Dan Pearce, Glenn Coles, Adam Collings; Alex Bartlett, Levent Bulut (capt), Mitchell Hawken, Ben Humber, Leion Cole, Joe Stansfield, Charlie Tummon, Brandon Rowley. Replacements: Rhys Carpenter, Harry Tomlin, Corey Jenkinson.

Counties One Western West

Having picked up just a point from their opening two games, the next two fixtures provide Bude the perfect chance to get their season up and running.

They face Penryn and then Cullompton on home soil knowing they need to get points on the board to avoid a tough old season in what is a highly-competitive division.

Penryn make the long trip up from West Cornwall (3pm) having been in action at home so far.

On the opening day they beat Paignton 30-5, who Bude lost 21-10 to last weekend, before a 55-27 defeat to Cullompton last Saturday.

Bude were edged out by Kingsbridge (24-19) and if they are to survive, turning Bencoolen Meadow into the usual fortress it so often is, will be key.

Bude are bolstered by the return of influential back Kyle Speare who lines up at outside-centre.

Will Pharo moves to fly-half with Olly Denford switching into midfield to partner Spear.

In the pack, there’s a first first team start for Fraser Priest at flanker with Ed Hilliam-Cooke moving from centre to flanker and Finley Fry to number eight.

Bude: George Hodgson, Jack Horwell, Kyle Speare, Olly Denford, Luke Wilson, Will Pharo, Olly Mounce; Fraser Martyn, Martin George, Chris Allin, Will Hockridge, Freddie Stevenson, Fraser Priest, Ed Hilliam-Cooke, Finley Fry. Replacements: Luke Dunkin, Shaun Andrew, Patrick Marks.

Counties Cornwall Three

LAUNCESTON Castles lost their unbeaten record last weekend when they were edged out by their Wadebridge Camels counterparts (18-17), and after games against both Camborne and Wadebridge’s second string, will face Roseland at Polson Bridge (3pm).

Roseland have played just once so far, a resounding 85-0 over Redruth Albany last weekend.

Launceston started with an excellent win over Camborne, so an exciting encounter awaits.

Bude have a tough-looking trip to Perranporth (3pm) while Camelford’s home game with Lankelly-Fowey has been postponed.