This Is Guernsey

By Gareth Le Prevost

GUERNSEY’S talisman James Regnard has become a wingman for the Siam Cup.

The big fella, who suffered a serious ankle injury in November that looked set to end his season, will face Jersey from the left wing on Saturday at St Peter where Guernsey are looking to win three consecutive Siam Cups for the first time.

Although usually a back rower, Regnard has made quite an impact when utilised out wide since his return to action last month and, with Guernsey looking to play young Academy protege Robin Le Cocq at flanker, the selectors had no qualms about handing the Siam veteran the No. 11 shirt.

‘A few positions were close and some may look at it as a big decision, but in essence it actually was not,’ captain Simon Sharrott said.

‘Jim played himself into the team in the last home match and, to be honest, only availability issues meant it had not happened sooner.

‘He was outstanding when he came on against Bognor [for the injured Andy Bailey], so we cannot deny someone the opportunity to do it again.’

The choice of debutant Le Cocq may also raise a few eyebrows as the university student has been able to turn out for the green-and-whites on only a few occasions this season. However, Sharrott emphasised that Le Cocq and other local academy products such as Jason Batiste, Tom Ceillam and Seoirse Lee are in the squad on merit.

‘I suppose the one that stands out for coming into this team is Robin, but his ability is outstanding and we have got no issues with moving Darren Jones to six,’ said the captain.

Batiste, who was involved with the match-day squad last year, is also making his first Siam Cup start along with hooker Bradley Choules and locks Dave Harvey and John Duggon.

Article posted on 30th April, 2009 - 2.30pm