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Search forRice sidelined again as Albion target win
Friday, November 21, 2008, 10:00
The Cornish powerhouse picked up the injury during the second half of last weekend's National League One defeat at Bedford Blues.
It is yet another untimely blow for the 26-year-old prop, who has already had to battle his way back from two potentially career-threatening injuries in the last two years.
First Rice suffered a prolapsed disc in his neck during the 2006-07 campaign, then last season he tore both his posterior cruciate and medial ligaments.
"It's a blow for Martin and it's a blow for Plymouth Albion," remarked Albion's chairman of rugby, Graham Dawe yesterday. "He's been unlucky with a few injuries in recent seasons, but we know the character of the man and we'll look forward to him running out for Plymouth Albion again.
"He has suffered a grade two tear and he will need to keep his knee immobilised for several weeks to help with the healing process. At this moment in time, they are not anticipating having to operate, but there is still a chance it may happen."
The loss of Rice will be felt by Albion, who are already without the services of fellow prop James Tideswell for the rest of the season because of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
With Rice ruled out, Dawe promotes Ryan Hopkins to the starting line-up for tomorrow's visit of Esher, while the club's close link-up with National Two side Mounts Bay this season sees the Cornish club loan Tim Mathias back to his former club for one week.
Dawe said: "We are fortunate Mounts Bay don't have a game this weekend, so were very grateful they've loaned us Tim for the week. By all accounts he has been in good form of late, so hopefully he can continue that if he gets a chance on Saturday."
Other changes to the Albion side beaten 37-9 by the Blues last time out see Geoff Griffiths come in at full-back for Nat Saumi; Liam Gibson starts on the wing in place of Arran Cruickshanks; Matt Hopper is handed a debut in the centre; Ross Laidlaw takes over at fly-half from the injured Kieran Hallett, while in the pack Kyle Marriott gets the nod at No.8 over Gareth Evans.
It is, however, Hopper's name that will be a surprise to many Albion supporters. The 23-year-old is back in England having recently returned from Australia where he was playing club rugby for Manly Marlins.
"He's been with us since the end of September and he's been in a rich vein of form for our Warriors side recently," added Dawe. "We feel he deserves his chance this weekend and, hopefully, both he and Keni [Fisilau] will hit it off both in terms of defence and attack."
Fisilau yesterday came through a fitness check on a shoulder injury to confirm his place in the starting XV.
Having the experienced Tongan in the heart of the Albion midfield will be of great benefit to the Devon club, who will be seeking their revenge having been beaten by Esher 17-12 at the Brickfields last December.
"We remember them well from their visit here last season," added Dawe. "Like any side coached by Mike Schmid, they will be well organised and looking to play a bit of rugby. That said, it is a game we need to target for a win as home games in this division are crucial.
"To get anything out of the game, a lot of hard work will need to be put in between now and quarter to five on Saturday. If we can do things right early on then we'll give ourselves a good chance, but at the same time we'll have to make sure we have good shape on our D [defence] and match them in the physicality of the game."
Albion: G Griffiths; L Gibson, M Hopper, K Fisilau, T Jarvis; R Laidlaw, G Nicholls; R Hopkins, J Owen, J du Toit; M Lewis, A Brenton (capt); W Sprangle, M Denbee, K Marriott. Replacements: M Newman, A Davies, A Cruickshanks, T Mathias, G Dawe, G Evans, D Thomas.
THE Westcountry Warriors will be in action at home to Devon Under-20s at the Brickfields on Sunday, kick-off 2.30pm.
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Albion prop Martin Rice is set to be sidelined for at least three months with a knee injury picked up in the game at Bedford
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