THERE are no two ways about it. Southampton absolutely have to win tomorrow.

Defeat to fourth-bottom county rivals Petersfield will open up a commanding gap between the pair and with three teams almost certainly to be relegated from London Four South-West at the end of the season, hope for the Saints will be gone.

Games between the west and east Hampshiremen are normally highly-charged affairs. But this one will have more of an edge to it than normal.

Southampton captain Marcus Coffin is able to name an unchanged side from that victorious against Trojans recently, which means a second start back for him while Wayne Allen moves across to hooker instead of Chris Reid.

"Being able to field an unchanged side fills us with some confidence," he said.

Romsey will be hoping that they can do themselves a favour too, while relying on Southampton keeping the gap narrow, when they travel to mid-table Old Amplefordians.

The faint flickering light of reaching the London Three South-West play-offs will be blown out for good for whoever loses the county tussle between Tottonians and Winchester tomorrow afternoon.

Fourth-placed Tottonians hold the slight two-point advantage over their visitors, a single place below them in the table but Barry Bridgman's side know that one more defeat and they are destined for a second season in this league.

The hosts, however, can keep their chances firmly alive if they record victory and they name a strong back division although the forwards are missing four key players.

Andy Friend, Miles Northover, James Angove and Clive Wilkes are all out while prop Matt Searle faces a fitness test so Dan Drake and Kev Barrett stand by while Jason Jones and Mike Green pair up in the second row.

Frenchman Ange Mariani will be out for the rest of the season having broken his ankle in the friendly draw with Worthing last week so Steve Franks holds his place on the wing.

Winchester welcome back Andrew Ashwin at scrum-half and James Bingham into the centre, both of whom return from injury while Adam Smith fills the full-back berth after playing his part in Hampshire Under-20s win last week at Esher.

Totts skipper Paul Goodall believes his side can triumph despite their injuries. "We have a strong set of backs and we have been playing well recently, so we shall give it everything we have got," he said.