Oxford head coach Richard Williams has labelled his side underdogs for Saturday’s semi-final against Dorset & Wilts at Swanage & Wareham (3).

Dorset have won all three matches so far whereas Oxon had to rely on points difference to reach the last four.

Although Oxfordshire defeated Dorset in their first match in 2009, Williams says they must improve if they are to secure a Twickenham spot on Sunday, May 30.

“We’ll certainly be the underdogs, but I don’t think we should be underestimated,” said Williams.

“We played Dorset & Wilts last season in the Shield, and we know they have a lot of players from Bournemouth, so they are no strangers to us.

“They have done well this season, winning three games out of three, but I think this could be a close match.

“If we can put in a performance for the full 80 minutes then I am quietly confident.”

Oxford Harlequins full back Graham Crapper comes into the squad, while Chinnor prop Joe Winpenny and Grove centre Tom Clipsham return after missing last week’s 34-27 victory over Essex.

Danny Burns will compete with Kenny Sewell for the scrum half berth.

Prop Simon Matthews, full back Jeff Stewart and flanker Ryan Newman all miss out.

One player unavailable again is Oxford University’s Canadian international back-row forward Stan McKeen.

Oxon were only told last week of a change in the rules that meant student players in the Shield must also be registered with club sides.

But as McKeen is Canadian, they could not secure a temporary registration for him with Chinnor.

“None of us were aware of these rules beforehand,” said Williams.

He added: “Everyone is aware that Saturday will be an acid test against the in-form team in the competition.

“We have to get our own house to stand a chance of progressing any further.

“As with any knockout game, it is the team who makes fewer mistakes that will go through.”

Oxfordshire: from Crapper (Oxford Harlequins), Clipsham, N Sevier, R Sevier (all Grove), Stoop, J Hewitt, Williams (all Chinnor), Burns (Wallingford), Cathcart (Chinnor), Sewell (Oxford Harlequins), Winpenny (Chinnor), Chadbone (Oxford Harlequins), Pickett, Henk, Whelan (all Chinnor), Eckert (Oxford Harlequins), Hutchings (capt), Black, Mowbray (all Chinnor), Pearson, Knapp, Welburn (all Oxford Harlequins), Nicholl (Grove).