Championship: Boden challenges Carnegie to rediscover competitive edge

They head over to the Channel Island to face one of his former clubs in need of a positive result after back-to-back Championship defeats.

Admittedly, those losses were at second-placed Ealing Trailfinders and, then, last week, against unbeaten leaders Bristol.

However, in conceding 44 points against each, both displays have been deemed simply not good enough. Boden says the squad have taken responsibility, though, and the ex-Doncaster Knights and Jersey hooker conceded: “A lot was said after Bristol and it was from the players themselves more than the coaches.

“It’s been going back onto them from themselves. They’ve spoken about errors made but how they’re at their best when being tough to beat. We’ve struggled to be that the last two games.

“You can have as many defensive systems and plans in place as you want but you have to choose to put your bodies on the line.

“Against Bristol, they didn’t have to work hard to break us and that’s what we’ve needed to look at but it’s more down to working hard than anything else. The players are the ones who came up with that and they have to fix it on the day; coaches put a plan in place but players have to go out and put their bodies on the line and I’m pretty sure you’ll see a better performance on Saturday.”

They will need it to be against an improving Jersey team who, though down in tenth, have rallied recently, following up a 20-15 win over London Scottish with a 45-14 success at Rotherham Titans last week.

“They’re a different side at home, too,” said Leeds-born Boden, who left his role as Jersey forwards coach to return to Headingley 18 months ago.

“They get up for the occasion a bit more and the crowd’s very vocal. It’s often difficult there; the conditions can play a part as it can be windy and wet which can slow teams down while they’re pretty clinical on their own turf.

“They’ve a good kicking game, a big forward pack along with a backline that is pretty direct, too.

“If you arrive there and you’re not mentally set for it they can cause you a lot of problems. I still know a few people there and it’ll be good to catch up – but nicer if we got the win.”

Carnegie make just one change to their starting line-up with Fred Burdon, who made his first appearance last week since his return from Newcastle Falcons, starting at centre in place of the sidelined Chris Elder (knee). Fit-again Andy Forsyth comes in to take Burdon’s place on the bench.

Meanwhile, Doncaster have made a raft of changes as they seek to deliver a first win in five Championship games today.

For the trip to Ealing, England 7s international Cameron Cowell makes his Knights debut at full-back on dual-registration from Newcastle Falcons, ex-Ealing winger Curtis Wilson returns after a four-week ban and Charlie Foley is shifted to centre.

The entire front-row is rotated while back-row Stone Priestley-Nangle is set to debut from the bench after joining on loan from Hull Ionians.