Preview: Trimble shooting for high places

MAX TRIMBLE is backing Richmond to get one over on Ampthill as the two long-standing semi-professional squads meet at Dillingham Park.

Richmond are without captain Cam Mitchell and first-team regulars Toby Dabell, Tom Hodgson, Dan Kelly along with six others for the trip to Bedfordshire, but Trimble believes Steve Hill’s built a good enough squad to cope with the absences.

“His recruitment is very good, there are some seriously talented players at Richmond and they all have pretty good jobs,” said Trimble, speaking to the Championship Clubs Podcast.

“Some of the guys are fresh out of university or are working in the city, but I could definitely see them going on to a higher level.

“I came down here because of word of mouth that there are some great coaches here. I would love to contribute to help push us higher up the league.”

Jake Parker captains the visitors in the absence of Mitchell as one of only three players to keep their places in the pack from last week’s 34-17 defeat to Nottingham.

Loosehead Jonny Harris and lock Freddie Hosking retain their place as Mike Perks, Kurt Schonert, Sam Collingridge, Toby Saysell and Huw Worthington come in, while Trimble is replaced by Will Kaye in the only change to the backline.

Ampthill are looking to bounce back from defeats to Saracens and Jersey.

Head Coach Paul Turner makes 11 changes to the starting XV for this game and with another six-day turnaround for Bedford on Saturday.