This will mean that they have their longest journey for the campaign in their first game

Visits to Redruth have been frequent for more than thirty years although they did not meet last season when the Hawks were in National 1. Over the years games between the two clubs have always been closely contested with home advantage frequently being the deciding factor.

Not surprisingly the Hawks starting squad will show a number of changes from that which finished last season. There are eight new comers in the squad selected to start the game at the famous ground with it’s renowned ‘hell fire’ corner Three amongst the backs , three forwards and two on the bench.

Joe Butler will play at fly-half where he has featured as a scorer of a couple of tries in pre-season friendlies. He will be partnered at scrum-half by George Jackson who has already shown to be a reliable place kicker and seems likely to be the principle kicker although James Comben the scorer of over 1000 points for the Hawks will be in the side at full back. The third new back is wing Dyen Fassel a powerful tackler who has pace.

The pack sees two new signings in the front row, both props. Brad Cook has moved from Bury St. Edmunds who will be new opponents for the Hawks when they meet later on and Ziana Mountout-Alexis, one of a clutch of players who have joined Henley from Ealing. David Hyde, well over 6’, has made an immediate impact at Lock partnering Dave Clements. The Hawks will be his first senior club having previously played for Witney.

The Hawks have made a deliberate move to strengthen the front row with the newcomers on the bench both being props. Zaki Chamnaoui and George Primett who are typical of the youthful players who have joined the Hawks this year. They will all learn much playing against a typical west country side and particularly pack although the Hawks have an all round experienced bench , in Jake Albon, ( Lock), Tommy Haynes (back row), and Simon Perry (versatile back}

Henley Hawks v Redruth
15,.James Comben, 14, Andre Xavier, 13.Liam O’Neill. 12. Louis Flynn, 11 Dyen Fessal, 10. Joe Butler, 9.George Jackson,1. Brad Cook, 2. Tom Embury, 3.Mountout-Alexis Ziana, 4. Dave Clements, 5. David Hyde, 6. Tom Hall, 7. Connor Morrison, 8. Julian Watkins.