JOHN Brodley says Oxford Harlequins are not out of the relegation mire ahead tomorrow’s National 3 South West clash at Barnstaple.
After five straight league defeats, Quins find themselves on the fringe of the drop zone.
And with Cheltenham earning a bonus-point win against Redingensians last week, Quins must raise their game.
“Cheltenham’s win last week has really opened things up,” said director of rugby Brodley.
“The Quins’ players need to understand the importance of this game.
“Barnstaple will be scrapping to avoid relegation because they are only three points above Cheltenham.
“It is very, very important to get safe and not have to wait another two weeks.
“We can take ourselves out of the relegation picture by winning at Barnstaple. That is the message I will be giving to the players.”
Lock Luke Brown replaces the injured Allan Purchase.
Scrum half Anthony Cope (calf) is back, while Alasdair Maspero and Alex Powell are added to the squad.
Hooker James Clark hopes to have recovered from a neck problem.
Chinnor will look to end their Exmouth hoodoo when they host the Devon side.
Head coach Jason Bowers, who adds backs Pip Seymour and Huw Morgan to his squad, said: “We have never beaten Exmouth, so in many ways it is a different pressure to last Saturday’s derby.
“We are trying to beat our bogey side, but we are on a good run and have our fingers crossed for a good performance.”
Scrum half James Gaunt returns to captain Henley Hawks in their National 2 South trip to Dings Crusaders.
Christoph Bart, who scored two tries as a replacement against Newbury, comes in for Neil Baggett on the wing.
Having been deducted five points, Wallingford host Oakmeadians in a South West 1 East relegation battle.
Phil Kelly replaces Angus Brettell at fly half, Mike Turner comes in at lock, while Tom Hill reverts to hooker.
Witney name an unchanged squad for their trip to title-chasing High Wycombe.
Relegated Banbury will be without kicker Pete Papenfus at home to Stratford-upon-Avon in Midlands 1 West.
SATURDAY SQUADS
Henley Hawks (v Dings Crusaders, away): Allen, Bart, Wells, Turner, Haynes, Comben, Gaunt (capt), Hadfield, Brennan, Penny, Giles, Evans (capt), Carson, Long, Stradwick. Reps from: Beckett, Gentilli, Downing, Holloway, Baggett, James.
Chinnor (v Exmouth, home): from Hopwood, Green, Seymour, Morgan, Goode, Serrano, Chase, R Williams, Cathcart, Prescott, Stock, Pickett, Cawston, Winpenny (capt), Jackman, Smith, Vickers, Hastings, Rixon, Mowbray.
Oxford Harlequins (v Barnstaple, away): from Chabone, Clark, Barlow, Eckert, Boyle, Brown, Young, Knapp, Welburn, Cope, Todd, Newman, Stewart, Andre, Burn, Jones, Crapper, Maspero, Powell.
Wallingford (v Oakmeadians, home): Smith, R Turner, Collett, Holton, Lavers, Kelly, Viljoen, Marris, Hill, Blaszko, Rowberry, M Turner, D Jenkins, M Wiltshire, Jeffreys (capt). Reps: C Jenkins, P Wiltshire, Dearlove.
Witney (v High Wycome, away): from H Lamb, Thomas, J Lamb (capt), W Bibby, J Collins, Monks, Dubost, G Campbell, Burke, Fuller, Calley, Richens, M Copperwheat, Fowler, Muller, C Campbell, J Hicks, Rowles.
Banbury (v Stratford, home): Flemming, Boyle, Daniels, Taylor, Heywood, Smith, E Phillips (capt), C Phillips, Collier, Dymond, Brock, Saville, De Bruyn, Oldham, Brand. Reps: Williams, Boys, Holmes.
Grove (v Aylesbury, away): D Maryon, Hudson, N Sevier (capt), Bellinger, Harrington, R Sevier, Simmonds, T Lane, Dixey, Walsh, Tugwell, Miles, Chapman, Kerr, Fredericks. Reps: North, Sherwood.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here