After a traumatic last weekend, Gosport & Fareham get back on the league trail by visiting Tunbridge Wells - but they go without influential skipper Simon Burns.
Burns injured his shoulder during their 32-0 cup reverse to Camborne and is likely to be out for six weeks, a huge blow to their hopes of turning around their run of four straight league defeats.
They have named a squad of 21 for the long trek to Kent, including talented youngster Simon Pickett, who impressed on his debut against Portsmouth a fortnight ago while Neil Evans is in competition for the fly-half berth with Richard Lloyd and Andrew Notley.
Director of rugby Iain Rackham knows the importance of getting their season back on the rails after their recent run of poor results.
"But it is always difficult to go to Tunbridge Wells and come away with something and this time it will be no different," he said. "They are only two points behind us and it is sure to be a tight game, but we need a win."
Unbeaten league leaders Portsmouth are also heading to Kent and make a handful of changes ahead of meeting mid-table Beckenham.
Flanker Brendan Treacey is still injured so Stuart Lloyd holds his place, while Dave Needham returns up front. Ogi Ofuasia has family commitments so Tony Russell slots into the centre.
The two promoted sides from last season's London One clash in the National League as Havant play host to Hertford, separated by just narrow points difference in eighth and ninth positions.
Havant need the win to stave off the fears of dropping back into the troublesome bottom three and they recall prop Paddy Conlon and lock Ali Ramus. Player-coach Owen Cobbe returns to fly-half with Steve Claffey's hand injury keeping him out. Adam King, the club's director of rugby had some harsh words for his side.
"We have some hard decisions to make but I don't think anybody can be surprised if we make changes after the way we defended at Old Patesians," he said.
"We will not stay up if we do that again. We owe the home fans a committed performance."
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