Southampton's relegation survival prospects are on the line when they take a decidedly scratch side to third-placed Dorking in London Four South-West.

Entrenched in the bottom two alongside Romsey on four points, the Saints are minus at least seven regulars. Pete O'Donnell, Jason Porter, Matt Simmons, Dan Keepax, Chris Milne, Richard Fearon and Jason Kehoe are all unable to travel.

Such are the problems facing injured skipper Marcus Coffin, whose Achilles requires at least another three weeks rest, that minibus-driving club chairman Niall Casey may be on the replacements bench.

Father and son will partner each other in the second row where Mark and Lee Mauger add considerable bulk to the scrum engine room while second XV captain Matt Inder and number eight Shaun Scott are given their first games of the season.

"We are not travelling with the strongest of sides," admits Coffin, "but it may just pay off and give us the spark we need. However, I would like to say we are optimistic but it is looking doubtful. Just depends who is the best team on the day."

Southampton hope to re-enact their rain and windswept 6-5 victory at Dorking last season, probably their best performance of the year.

Romsey return to familiar territory when they host Old Paulines, notoriously poor travellers, so hope is high amongst Bryan Musk's side that they can pull away from the league basement.

Tottonians skipper Paul Goodall has pleaded with his side to cut out the silly errors that continue to creep into their game in order to maintain their hopes of reaching the London Three South-West play-off berth.

The Water Lane outfit, visiting Weybridge Vandals, recall Andy Friend in place of father-to-be Mike Green while Rob Stevens keeps the number seven shirt having played well in the heavy defeat to Effingham & Leatherhead.

Frenchman Ange Mariani switches to the wing in place of Lee Brading while Neil Angell moves across to blindside.

Goodall is fully aware of the Vandals' recent good run.

"They will be difficult to beat on their patch," he said. "This is a must-win game if we are stay in the hunt for a top-three finish, but we have to cut out the mistakes in crucial positions."

Any more defeats for Winchester and it will surely be curtains for their hopes of the play-offs. They visit mid-table Chobham while relegation-threatened Alton tackle promotion-chasing Effingham & Leatherhead.