CHINNOR will again be without fly half Caolan Ryan as they attempt to preserve their 100 per cent start in National League 1 at Cambridge tomorrow.
Ryan suffered a serious hand injury at work the day before last week’s match against Ampthill and is expected to be out for several weeks.
Bertie Hopkin deputised in their narrow 38-33 success and keeps his place in the side for what could prove to be a tricky test.
He will partner Dave Brazier, who comes in at scrum half.
“Cambridge play a very similar style of rugby to us,” said Chinnor’s director of rugby Matt Williams.
“They have a very dangerous set of backs and are difficult to beat on their own ground.”
Henley Hawks head coach Luke Allen has made five changes from the side that defeated Barnes, for the six-mile trip to face Redingensians Rams in National League 2 South.
Finn Peterson makes his debut at full back replacing Sam Randle while Jack Robinson comes in on the right wing.
Rory Mason returns at prop, while Adam Neale makes his first start alongside Dave Hyde in the second row. Alex Bradley comes in at No 8.
Marcus Lowe switches from No 8 to wing forward in the absence of Tom Hall.
Like Hawks, the home side, who include former Henley No 8 Robbie Stapley in their side, have won their first two games
Banbury’s player-coach Matt Goode is still recovering from a shoulder injury and misses their match at home to Chippenham in South West 1 East.
Flanker Pete Alston comes in for his first start of the season for Oxford Harlequins, who visit Stratford-upon-Avon.
Brothers Matt and Jonny Henderson make their debuts at centre and full back.
Despite taking maximum points from their opening two games, Goode is not totally with his side’s display.
“We were much too passive in the first half of our win against Beaconsfield last week,” he said.
“We need to show more aggressive, both up front and in the backs.”
TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS
Chinnor (v Cambridge, away): Goss, Joseph, A Dancer, Barnes, Holland, Hopkin, Brazier, Bingham, George, Gilding, Thomas, Ramshaw, J Dancer, Bell, Burns. Reps: Betts, Oliver, Davies, Ranaboldo, Manning, Brazier.
Henley Hawks (Redingensians Rams, away): Peterson, Robinson, Morrison, Perry, Portland, Butler, Webb, Stock, Emery, Mason, Neale, Hyde, Lennon (capt), Lowe, Bradley. Reps: Primett, Manning, White, Goodison, McDougall.
Banbury (v Chippenham, home): Gray, Brady, Briggs, Manley, Mills, Stoop, E Phillips, Winpenny, Isham, Boulton, Dixey, Johnson, Powell, Mills, C Phillips. Reps: Saar, Carr-Archer, Kirwin.
Oxford Harlequins (v Stratford-upon-Avon, away): J Henderson, Crowe, M Nutt, M Henderson, Turretta, Garrett, O’Brian, Cashman, Davies, Farahani, Myatt, Purchase, White, Alston, Latu. Reps: Taylor, Nalewabau, Hazelhurst.
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