Oxford Harlequins coach John Brodley has urged his players to forget last week’s hammering at Bracknell when they host Exmouth in South West 1 tomorrow (2.30).
Quins were crushed 60-5 at promotion-chasing Bracknell, but victory against Exmouth would see them climb off the bottom of the table.
This will be the third time the Devon club have attempted the journey to Oxford, having twice been denied by the cold weather.
Brodley said: “It is a matter of looking forward and putting last week behind us.
“All the players understand the importance of this week.
“We are at home, which should give us an advantage.
“We are confident that we can take the rest of the season forward, and get a good win on Saturday.”
Scrum half Anthony Cope is on holiday in Morocco, while prop Johan Ferreira has returned to South Africa.
Kenny Sewell starts at No 9, Will Johnson at tight-head prop, with Pete Boulton providing front-row cover.
Chinnor face one of the most daunting trips in National 3 South – to Dings Crusaders.
Dings’ only home defeat in the league this season has been to unbeaten leaders London Scottish, and that by 18-16.
Prop Tom Whelan and wing Tom Shiel come into the squad in place of Arthur Ellis, who is on England Under 20 duty, and James Serrano.
Henley Hawks welcome back experienced scrum half James Gaunt after a minor operation for their trip to second-placed Ealing.
Wing Pete Davies also returns, but Tom Haynes is out for another week.
Leading try-scorer Neil Baggett should be back from his rib injury by mid March – just in time to face Chinnor.
Ealing, who boast ex-Hawks trio James Winterbottom, Dino Alexipolous and Andy Le Chevalier, have had some disappointing recent results.
Henley are after their first win since December.
Wallingford will be without scrum half Derek Viljoen (unavailable) at home to Witney in the first round of the Oxfordshire Cup on Sunday.
Matt Dawes fills in, while Pete Thorns comes in at No 8 and Pete Holton moves from flanker to inside centre.
Wallingford coach Chris Norrington said: “We’ll give Witney a good match. I’m sure they will be up for it.
“Having got our of their league last year, I will be interested to see if we have improved.”
Flanker Carl Campbell returns for Witney following illness, while Ed Mitchem is back on the bench after impressing for the second team.
Skipper Jez Hicks reverts to lock, with Joe Rowles at No 8.
Chinnor (v Dings Crusaders, away): from Hewitt, Mahony, Powell, Oxley, Shiel, Cathcart, R Williams, Prescott, Rowley, Stock, Stennings, Whelan, Eckert, Winpenny, Hutchings (capt), Payne, Hastings, Jones, M Williams, Wright.
Henley Hawks (v Ealing, away) from Birtwhistle, Portland, Davies, Flammia, Wells, Fulton, Shaylor, Hobart, Gaunt, Fuller, Tattersall, Hoosen-Owen, Milford-Scott, Penny, Clements, Nixon, Green, Dupee, Williams, Tuckett, Payne.
Oxford Harlequins (v Exmouth, home, meet Southern Bypass, 12.45pm): H Jones, Sevier, Spottiswoode, Lombard, Campbell, Forth, Sewell, Chadbone (capt), Needham, Johnson, Pearson, Gray, Nicholl, Young, Jackson. Reps: Boulton, Davies, Noyce.
Wallingford (v Witney, home): Venners, Brettell, Collett, Holton, Windsor, Sayce, Dawes, Blaszko (capt), Hill, Keable, Lewis, M Turner, Chapman, D Jenkins, Thorns. Reps: Small, Bailey, Smith.
Witney (v Wallingford, away): Strutt, Gouldie, J Lamb, Tustin, Monks, H Lamb, G Campbell, Brocklebank, Groeblar, Richens, Fowler, J Hicks (capt), Muller, C Campbell, Rowles. Reps: W Hook, D Godfrey, Hands, Mitchem, Phillips.
Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Chinnor 3rd, away, meet Southern Bypass, 12.45pm).
Oxford Harlequins 4th (v Grove 3rd, away, meet Southern Bypass, 12.45pm).
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