Veteran prop Simon Matthews will be thrust back into the fray when Chinnor host rivals Oxford Harlequins in South West 1 tomorrow (3).

Matthews, who captained the side last year, announced his retirement this summer, but left the door open for a return if needs must.

And with Joe Winpenny unavailable, coach John Brodley has put Matthews straight into his first XV.

Brodley said: "Simon is coming in for the one game. We know exactly what we are going to get from him, he's particularly strong.

"It's common knowledge that he hasn't trained that much in pre-season, except at golf, but his experience is really important for us.

"It's easy for him to slip in whereas the guys in the second team are a bit too young at the moment."

He added: "Harlequins had quite a good result against Cinderford. They have some new players and I fully expect them to be a lot stronger than last year."

Matt Buckley replaces James Hewitt at full back, while flanker Mike Cook comes in.

Quins give debuts to South African prop Gerrie Fourie and former England Students lock Richard Billing, who will partner Louis Eggar.

Will Dixon is vying for a back row spot, while former Neath scrum half Owen Gustaffson has recovered from the injury he picked up against Cheltenham.

Quins captain Andy Noyce said: "Last year Chinnor had the upper hand on each occasion. This year we have a chance to turn it around."