Channel Islands select squad to face Poland

The Channel Islands rugby union team has named their 23-man squad for their game with Poland next month.

Twelve of the side are drawn from the Jersey RFC team that won the Regional One South Central title.

The game on 25 July at St Peter in Jersey will be the side's second match - they beat Sweden 66-28 at Footes Lane in Guernsey last year.

"I think we've got a very good good mix of players within that squad," Jersey director of rugby Myles Landick told BBC Radio Jersey.

"It's really exciting, it's nice for the guys to come together.

"I watched the guys train last year for the game and saw how quickly everyone works with each other and worked hard for each other, so it should be another fantastic game."

The Channel Island side was formed last year to give the island not hosting the Siam Cup - the annual clash between Guernsey and Jersey - a marquee fixture at the end of the season.

With this year's Siam Cup - which was won by Guernsey - being played later in May the decision was taken to play the game ahead of the new season.

Poland are currently second in this year's Rugby Europe Trophy - the second tier of non-Six Nations rugby in the continent.

Jersey RFC player Eryk Swiech has been called up to Poland's squad this season having helped the islanders win their league title.

"Within the squad this year, there's probably more Guernsey players in the forward pack than there is Jersey," Landick said.

"But then in the back line there's more Jersey players within that back line than there is Guernsey, so it's a really exciting balance.

"It was a fantastic Siam Cup, which was really competitive, so it was extremely difficult, but I'm really excited for for the group of players that we've got together.

"But the main thing is just making sure we've got that squad depth in those positions that we need."

Channel Islands squad

Forwards: Jack Macfarlane (J), Michael Cantle (G), Huw Owen (J), Joe Wrafter (G), Tom Wilson (J), Martinas Dromantas (G), Charlie Wilkinson (G), Euan Spencer (J), Tim Grey (J), Josh Poullet (G), Matt Creber (G), Dom Rice (G), Toby Osborne (J).

Backs: Harry Cochrane (J), Dale Rutledge (G), Scott van Breda (J), Charlie Simmonds (G), Daniel Barnes (J), Aaron Penberthy (J), Matt Armstrong (G), Anthony Armstrong (G), Mark Boarer (J), Dylan Stocks (J).