MATCH PREVIEW

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS VS DALLAS JACKALS

New England Free Jacks (4-1) v Utah Warriors (3-2)

When: Friday, Mar 31, 2023 9:30pm EST

Where: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah 

Watch: FS2 (In the US), The Rugby Network (Outside of US)

The Free Jacks head into Round 7 on top of the Eastern Conference at 4-1 after a narrow win against Dallas last weekend at Veterans memorial Stadium.

The team now travels to Utah with the likes of John Poland and Mitch Wilson back in the starting lineup. Kyle Ciquera, Andrew Quattrin and Cole Keith will retake their spots in the starting front row after coming off the bench vs Dallas. In the back line, Canadian Isaac Olson will be making his first appearance of the 2023 season, as he looks to inject some pace and power off the bench.

Jesse Parete will also be returning to the match-day 23 for the first time since March 11th, adding valuable depth to the second row.

The team will look to widen the gap between themselves and 2nd place in the Eastern Conference this weekend through their defensive pressure and discipline on both sides of the ball.

Scouting

Utah is currently in 4th place in the Western Conference at 3-2. They will be coming off their biggest win of the season, beating the Toronto Arrows 47-19 at home, with winger Joe Mano crossing over the line three times.

Captain Bailey Wilson, brother of Free Jack Mitch Wilson, is starting at flanker this weekend, as well as USA eagle Paul Lasike, who returns to the midfield. Led by English fly-half Joel Hodgson, Utah likes to keep ball in hand and run through defenses with their sturdy forwards in the middle and dynamic back three on the edges. Look for them to get the likes of Lance Williams and Lasike involved early on.

All time against Utah

2 -1

New England Roster 

1. Kyle Ciquera
2. Andrew Quattrin
3. Cole Keith
4. Conor Keys
5. Semisi Paea
6. Mitch Jacobson
7. Joe Johnston
8. Wian Conradie
9. John Poland
10. Jayson Potroz
11. Paula Balekana
12. Wayne van der Bank
13. Ben LeSage
14. Mitch Wilson
15. Reece MacDonald
16. Keanu Kereru-Symes
17. Foster Dewitt
18. Joel Hintz
19. Jesse Parete
20. Sam Fischli
21. Holden Yungert
22. Isaac Olson
23. Cam Davidowicz

Utah Roster 

to be announced

Free Jacks Rugby Staff: 

• Tom Kindley (General Manager) 
• Scott Mathie (Head Coach) 
• Mike Rogers (Assistant Coach) 
• Will Webster (Assistant Coach) 
• Javier Martin (Team Manager)
• George Petrakos (Head Physical Performance Coach) 
• Ricci Persico (Assistant Physical Performance Coach)
• Colton Bennett (Analyst) 
• Mike Buonopane (Head of Medical)
• Adam Thomas (Assistant AT/PT)