Owen Gustafson is not expecting an easy ride when Chinnor visit Oxford Harlequins in tomorrow's South West 1 derby (2.30).

But the former Quins captain is optimistic about returning to his old club for the first time after impressing for the league leaders.

And having joined Chinnor this summer, he is more than happy with his decision.

Gustafson said: "It was all about playing scrum half. I'm pleased that I have had the opportunity and it's going well.

"We have a good team spirit and there is a great feeling among the boys.

"But Quins are a great group of guys and are playing well. I'm sure there will be a bit of banter, that's to be expected.

"We know that there will be no easy games in South West 1.

"They have got a back row that is really in form and Anthony Cope at nine is very well established.

"That will be a big battle for me."

Gustafson was largely used as a fly half by Quins, but seems to have become Chinnor's regular scrum half.

He said: "I'm not a ten, I have always played nine.

"I've got regular starts and full games and it has made a big difference.

"We have had a fairly settled line-up throughout the season, but even when we had to make changes at Cleve, we still came away with a win."

Gustafson added: "Bracknell have only slipped up against us and we don't expect them to do so again.

"In this league, we can't afford to make mistakes."

Chinnor are near full strength with captain Matt Hutchings set to return at lock.

Coach Jason Bowers said: "We will be basing the team on the side that was successful against Bracknell, Cleve and Maidenhead.

After a week off, Quins have intense competition for places in the pack.

Props Chris Aldous, Paul DeLange and Nick Goodger are pressing for inclusion.

And it is three from Chris Alcock, Ferdi Gerber, Phil Rowe and Paddy Soper in the back row.

Fly half Frank Jones returns to the squad after illness, but is not guaranteed a start.

Press officer Roger King said: "Chinnor will start strong favourties as they are the form team at the moment.

"But Quins have nothing to lose and everything to gain from Saturday's encounter. We shall see."

  • Oxford University will be looking to avoid injuries when they host London Irish at 3pm, with their Varsity Match squad being ann- ounced on Monday.

Irish are fielding largely an academy side with some senior professionals included.

Former Newbury centre Mark Ireland starts, while Matt Donnelly returns at No 8 after 15 months out with injury.

Oxford University (v London Irish, home): from Davis, Rosen Tomaszczyk, Chance, Alexander, Wright, Ackroyd, Jackson, Matthews, Davies, Allhusen, Cowie, Lutton, Payne, Clarke, McKerchar, Henry, Humphry-Baker, Gregory, McMahon, Roff (capt), Boto, Tombleson, Mahony.

London Irish (v Oxford University, away): Lewis-Pratt, Howells, Ireland, Gower, Thompstone, Stevenson, Parker, Dunning, Clark, Corbisiero, Johnson, Mockford, Wilson, Rowland, Donnelly. Reps: Warren, Mackie, Cudmore, Rees, Rennie, Pyrgos, Canty.

Henley Hawks (v Nuneaton, away): from Le Chevalier, Fuller, Alexipoulos, Robinson, Muggridge, Winterbottom, Hurrell, Payne, Archer, Williams (capt), N Lambden, Wells, Flammia, L Burns, Ah-Ling, Reeves, Meenan, Gaunt.

Chinnor (v Oxford Harlequins, away): from Winpenny, Stennings, Iosefo-Peni, Whelan, Millburn, Hutchings (capt), Burrows, Winslade, McGuire, Hastings, Rixon, Gustafson, Cathcart, P Seymour, Carter, O'Mahony, Powell, Williams, Burns, B Hewitt.

Oxford Harlequins (v Chinnor, home, meet 1pm) from Aldous, Needham, DeLange, Goodger, Eckert, Payne, Alcock, Gerber, Rowe, Soper, A Cope (capt), Jones, Noyce, A Henley, Wilson, Johnson, Preston, Davies.

Witney (v Amersham & Chiltern, away): Wheater, P Gouldie, H Lamb, C Strutt, Monks, J Elwood, G Campbell, Serle, C Quartermann, Gosling, Fowler, J Hicks (capt), Muller, C Campbell, Collis. Reps: Dore, Richens, A Copperwheat.

Bicester (v Phoenix, home): A Spencer, Leverton, Nash, Ward, Rushworth, R Kenny, Risbridger, Shaw, Davies, W Morris, Malins, D Spencer, Linstrom, Nightingale, Thurlow. Reps: A Morris, N Kenny, C Giles.

Oxford Harlequins 2nd (v Witney 2nd, home, meet Southern Bypass 12.50pm).

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Grove 2nd, away, meet Southern Bypass 12.50pm).