This week, we’ll update you with all the players that will be on show for the Championship XV ahead of this Sunday’s clash with Rugby World Cup side Canada at Sixways (kick-off 3.15pm).
Today we bring you the second-row and back-row…
SECOND ROW
DARREN BARRY (Cornish Pirates)
Bristolian Darren Barry joined Cornish Pirates in July 2012, having departed the Memorial Stadium at Bristol for the Mennaye Field of Penzance.
Barry made his Bristol debut at Camborne in May 2010 and went on to make over 60 appearances for Bristol in all competitions, including the A League, where he played his first games at just 17 competing against the then England and Wasps lock Tom Palmer.
At youth level Barry played for Old Redcliffians and later coached not just the Under 18 side, but also helped coach their senior side alongside Bristol teammate Saul Nelson.
He has also enjoyed a loan spell playing for Clifton, where his athleticism and ball-winning ability made him a standout player.
Former England Under 19 international Darren is the son of Derrick Barry who played for Bath in the late 70s and early 80s.
In his first season with the Pirates he made 28 appearances, and he followed this by adding 30 more as a consistent performer in 2013/14.
JAMES PERCIVAL (Worcester Warriors)
Giant lock James Percival returned for a second playing spell at Sixways when he joined Warriors from Harlequins in the summer of 2011.
The man-mountain started his career in the Warriors Academy and gained international recognition during his first spell at the club as a member of the England Under 21 side which won the 2004 Six Nations Grand Slam.
Percival stood in as Warriors captain for much of the 2012/13 campaign, signed a new long-term contract in November 2012 and made his 50th appearance for the club against Harlequins in April 2013.
His committed performances saw him named Warrior-of-the-Year for the second consecutive season in 2013.
The second-row, who stands at 6ft 5in, has continued to be a key presence in the forward pack under Dean Ryan, making 20 appearances during the Director of Rugby’s first season in charge.
Percival, who previously studied at Worcester Sixth Form College and Worcester University, has also played for Northampton Saints and Harlequins.
BACK-ROW
RYAN BURROWS (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Since joining from Rotherham Titans ahead of the 2011-12 season, Ryan Burrows has consistently been one of Yorkshire Carnegie’s top performers, demonstrating a great work ethic and attitude both on and off the field.
In 2014 he committed his future to the club by signing a new three-year contract, despite attracting the attention of a number of Premiership clubs.
Burrows made over 100 appearances in four seasons at Rotherham and his experience was key for Carnegie in his debut season.
He was ruled out for part of the campaign with injury but whenever he was in the side he made a notable impact, winning numerous Man-of-the-Match awards.
He made an instant impression on the side, scoring a try on his debut against London Welsh and went on to make 25 appearances.
The following season he was a regular in the first team, making a further 24 appearances which included a fantastic performance in the play-offs against Newcastle Falcons, where he scored a match-winning try.
He made his Carnegie debut against London Welsh on the opening day of the 2011/12 season and marked the occasion with a try in a Man-of-the-Match winning performance.
NICK FENTON-WELLS (Bedford Blues)
Bedford captain Nick Fenton-Wells joined the Blues permanently this season following a successful two-year loan period from Saracens.
He was announced as captain for the 2014/15 season having made an enormous impression in his time at Goldington Road.
The back-row star is renowned for his speed, strength and physicality in open play or at the breakdown.
With his leadership ability and professionalism, the South African-born forward will be pushing for a starting berth in Martin Haag’s representative side.
MARK BRIGHT (London Scottish)
London Scottish skipper Mark Bright turned 36 last month but like a fine wine, the Kiwi-born number-eight gets better with age.
During the 2013/14 season he scored 21 tries in 28 games which saw him shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Year Award and named once again in the Championship Dream Team.
He also scooped the London Scottish Supporters' Player of the Year Award and was called up to the England Sevens squad for July’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
This season he has started with a bang having crossed the tryline an astonishing nine times in five games.
MARCO MAMA (Bristol Rugby)
Marco Mama was initially registered with Bristol Rugby as part of the Elite Player Development Group before joining the Academy in 2009, as part of a venture between Bristol and University West of England.
The versatile back-rower is an established face in the first team squad following a string of impressive displays in the Bristol shirt.
The Zimbabwean has made 90 first-team appearances for Bristol, notching 16 tries.
JAMES PHILLIPS (London Scottish)
Versatile forward James Phillips joined London Scottish ahead of the 2014/15 season from Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs.
Phillips started his career at his hometown club Bristol where he featured for them in both the Premiership and the Championship during a four-year spell, making 82 appearances.
However, when Bristol failed to win promotion back into the top flight in 2010 where they were beaten by the Chiefs in the inaugural Championship Play-Off Final, Exeter Head Coach Rob Baxter wasted little time in bringing the player to Sandy Park.
Phillips made a bright start to life in Exeter colours, featuring prominently during the opening weeks of the club’s first-ever season in the Premiership.
However, a broken leg sustained in an away game at Harlequins forced the player onto the sidelines for much of the campaign.
Injury would hamper Phillips’ remaining time at Exeter but now fully-fit, his renowned ball-carrying and defensive capabilities should help compliment an already strong back-five unit at London Scottish.