Kingstone Press League 1 Preview: London Skolars v South Wales Scorpions

London Skolars lost 12-19 to Newcastle Thunder last week but coach Jermaine Coleman could see some positives.

He said: “Last week’s performance was clearly better. We had a lot more purpose in everything we did and, but for some poor execution in the attacking third, we could have come away with two points.

“The challenge for us this week will be to back that performance up with a repeat. Without doubt South Wales will come full of energy desperate to get their first win.

“We must match that desire in order for us to get a positive result. They will come with confidence as they turned us over last year at home and will be targeting this game, It’s up to us to be ready for that.”

South Wales Scorpions coach Mike Grady said: “I was disappointed last week. We went 10-0 up and in the first 20 minutes we looked like the team that wanted it but after that it changed and Coventry wanted it a bit more than us.

“It was disappointing because we should have been in the game. I won’t say we should have won the game but we should have had a bit more out of it than what we did.

“London are doing okay without actually getting the wins on the board. They’re improving every week and Jermaine’s obviously made a few changes; he’s been playing himself, which has been helping things tick along. He’s doing all the right things and they’re going in the right direction.”

Hooker Connor Farrer has a possible broken wrist, half-back Paul Emanuelli and forward Neil Dallimore are doubtful while prop Osian Phillips is unavailable.