National 3 South West preview

Oxford Harlequins will look to prove last season was no fluke when they kick off again tomorrow.

Quins finished third after several campaigns at the wrong end of the table – and had they not started slowly, they could have been play-off contenders.

This time around, Quins may find it harder to maintain those standards, but it would be foolish to write off John Brodley’s side.

He has recruited widely from Oxford Brookes University, while flanker Matt Young and fly half Frank Jones (left) return, from injury and Ireland respectively.

Quins’s signings include centres David Hunter, from North Harbour in New Zealand, and Ian Murray, latterly of Loughborough Students.

Hooker James Clark joins from Dundee and lock Will Clayton from Bicester.

Lock Alan Purchase, 19, has returned from a rugby exchange trip to Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, while trips to Llanelli Scarlets and London Wasps have helped Olly Rees train as conditioning coach.

Brodley said: “It is the playing philosophy at Oxford Rugby that the game has to be fun and enjoyable for players and spectators.”

IN: David Hunter (centre, North Harbour, New Zealand), Ian Murray (centre, Loughborough Students), James Clark (hooker, Dundee), Will Clayton (lock, Bicester), Frank Jones (fly half, returning from Ireland), Matt Young (flanker, returning from injury), Bartholomew Hill (centre, Oxford Brookes), Ian Bradshaw (centre, Oxford Brookes), Alasdair Maspero (scrum half, Oxford Brookes).

OUT: Kenny Sewell (scrum half, Henley Hawks), Dom Maley (centre, Australia), Morgan Cross (lock, Australia).

LAST SEASON: 3rd. PREDICTION: Top four.

Continuity is the key word at Chinnor where they have kept hold of the vast majority of last season’s squad.

Only centre James Hewitt and back-row forward Liam Gilbert have left, while Chinnor have recruited four players to their ranks.

Former London Scottish and Newbury lock Andrew Smith will add great experience and power to their already well-drilled pack.

Oxfordshire centre Matt Goode, who joins from Rugby Lions, boosts their midfield alongside the returning Trevor Powell.

Chinnor have made more use of their London Wasps links to sign Academy back row man Alex Fan, who has impressed the Premiership club with his high workrate.

Head coach Jason Bowers has set his side a top-four target, which would mirror last season’s finish.

Promoting his club, Bowers said: “A good blend of forward power and exciting back play should result in good afternoon out.”

IN: Andrew Smith (lock, from London Scottish), Matt Goode (centre, Rugby Lions), Nick Harrison (back row, Malvern), Alex Fan (back row, London Wasps Academy & Rosslyn Park), Danny Burns (scrum half, Wallingford).

OUT: James Hewitt (centre, Ealing), Liam Gilbert (back row, Sailsbury).

LAST SEASON: 4th.

PREDICTION: Top four.