Oxfordshire have brought Australian Richard Rouse into their side for their Tetley's Bitter County Championship match against Surrey at Henley on Saturday, May 18 (3).

The Oxford Harlequins centre replaces Matt Hart, who is unavailable, while county coach Matt Maudsley makes two other changes to the starting line-up following last week's 78-24 thrashing by Gloucestershire.

Chinnor prop Simon Matthews comes into the front row, while Witney's Andy Hicks replaces Chipping Norton's Martin Nutt on the wing.

Otherwise, Maudsley has stuck by the team, who were completely outclassed, as a reward for their commitment in coming to the training sessions.

This is a game Oxfordshire must win if they are to avoid being relegated from the Top 16 Championship.

Defeat would see them drop down to the Shield next season, and, judging by this year's events, that may not be a bad thing.

Should Oxon overturn the odds and beat Surrey, then they would be involved in a play-off next week against the losers of the Shield semi-final between Dorset & Wilts v Berkshire, for a place in the Top 16.

But for future years, Maudsley has put forward suggestions as to how the structure in Oxfordshire can be improved.

"Basically, there has been no celebration of representative rugby in Oxfordshire, and it's important for there to be more contact between the county and the players and clubs," he said.

Oxfordshire: A Cawston (Chinnor), D Knight (Henley), R Rouse (Ox Harlequins), A James (Grove), A Hicks (Witney), A Smith (C Norton), L Smye (Henley), H Hattingh (Banbury), S Chadbone (Ox H'quins), S Matthews (Chinnor), M McNally (Banbury), S Chatterton (Banbury), W Brooks (Banbury), J Wilcox-Jones (Oxford Brookes), A Mortimore (Henley) (capt). Reps: S Trower (Henley), T Wilkinson (Chinnor) , P Kelly (Chonnor), A Cope (Ox Harlequins), A Burbage (Banbury), M Nutt (C Norton).