PLYMOUTH Albion supporters will get their first chance to see new French signing Gregory Sebastien in action on Monday evening when Cornwall visit Brickfields for a development game (7.15pm).
Sebastien has been named in a strong Albion back-row, alongside Andy Chesters and Chris Courtier.
The trio will be hoping to impress director of rugby Graham Dawe with Royal Navy players Jarrad Hayler and Seti Raumakita away for a month at the Defence World Cup.
“It’s a good fixture for us,” said Dawe. “It gives the bench players some game-time and hopefully they can lay down a marker.
“With us losing Jarrad and Seti we are going to need some players to step up into the breach.
“Jarrad and Seti have a great opportunity to play in a world tournament, but we have to replace both of them in the squad.
“They have been good players for us and they leave good memories – Seti left two very nice memories on Saturday after coming on and Jarrad made the final turnover against Fylde.
“Someone has to step in and do what they do.”
Dawe will be wearing two hats on Monday. As well as being Albion’s director of rugby he is also Cornwall’s head coach.
He feels it is a good game for both teams.
“It’s a good fixture for Albion and hopefully we will have another in a couple of weeks’ time against Exmouth. It’s about some players stepping forward and putting down a marker.
“The Cornwall players are also looking to step up and possibly play in the County Championship.”
Albion’s team does include five Cornishmen. It also features Sierra Leone-born lock Shek Sherrif, who could be set to sign for the National One club. The former Wasps Academy player, who was at Henley, has moved to Plymouth to study at the University of St Mark and St John.
Albion XV: 15 Jordan Shakespeare, 14 George Hodgson, 13 Jon Dawe, 12 Chris Swash, 11 Ian Davidson, 10 Ben Stein, 9 Dan Goldstone, 1 Ross Crang, 2 Dean Brooker, 3 Dan Pullinger, 4 Ben Hawley, 5 Shef Sheriff, 6 Gregory Sebastien, 7 Andy Chesters, 8 Chris Courtier.
Reps: 16 Rory Briers, 17 Curtis Reynolds, 18 Jim Massey, 19 Cameron Thompson, 20 Paul Hamber, 21 Will Slater, 22 Luke Mingo, 23 Noah Nash, 24 Jordan Huie, 25 James Mattin, 26 George Mears.