Preview: Ealing Trailfinders v Yorkshire Carnegie
By Matty Ramage
Yorkshire Carnegie will hope to continue their good form on Saturday in the British and Irish Cup, drawing away to Ealing Trailfinders.
Neither side has won the trophy before but Carnegie may have the upper hand, winning the previous meeting in September 30-13.
Yorkshire enter the match unbeaten so far this season, with six league wins from six. One reason for the good form could be recruitment during the off season, with Alex Gray, who previously played rugby 7’s for England, being seen as something of a coup for Yorkshire.
Young player Josh Bainbridge, age 20, is cementing himself as a key player for Carnegie having scored 100 points in 29 appearances playing as primarily a flanker.
Carnegie are also doing better than expected following the retirement of Kevin Sinfield and the forced retirement of club captain Chris Jones following a serious head injury last season. The replacements are showing that promotion could be a realistic target for the club. A cup run to go along with it could increase morale and backing from the stands. They are currently second in the league behind the recently relegated, but unbeaten, London Irish
Ealing are a team that should not be underestimated Fresh off a promotion from National League 1, the Trailfinders currently occupy the fifth position in the Championship.