BUOYANT after their comfortable 24-0 qualifying round triumph at Harlow, the Powergen Cup takes on greater competitive status for Basingstoke when they meet London Scottish tomorrow.

Jim Dixon's side know the preliminary round clash at Down Grange will be a test - and it's also a game the flanker believes "will give us an opportunity to see where we really are" as their season begins in earnest.

The visitors are an outfit 'Stoke will face on two more occasions in their 2004-05 London division one campaign and senior coach Dixon sees this opener as a chance to strike a resounding psychological blow.

He said: "They are a bit of an unknown for us and at this level but, much like Richmond, they're working their way back up.

"It's a chance for us to show them what we're all about and I think it will be like a national three game, so we should hold the advantage, especially at the Grange.

"We haven't conceded a point in three games now - and that's very positive - but I know defensively we'll be challenged a lot more in this game than we have been.

"The guys know they are going to have to be switched on and respectful, but we'll be focusing on our own strengths and, if we keep to our game plan, I'm confident we will win."

Dixon's preparations were thrown into disarray when his two props - Jamie Davenport and Ian White - announced their unavailability for two weeks.

In what is a problem position because of summer departures and a long-term shoulder injury to Kiwi Rees Morgan, who was all set to be a signing, Dixon admitted the news wasn't welcome.

He said: "I'm not happy, but there's nothing we can do. It means our front row is down and we're going to have to work twice as hard in the scrum.

"It means we have to make changes. They aren't too major, but they won't help us and it's not what I wanted.

"I want us to have consistency in the team this season, but the guys coming in have been part of our pre-season, so this is their chance to step up and help out.

"One of the new guys, Phil Perkins, will come in. He's a big boy, very strong, so will be good in the scrum. Getting him to last the 80 minutes is another thing, though, as his fitness isn't what it should be."

Replacing one of the four try-scorers at Harlow - Ollie Rogers - in the backs is Carl White.

The cup match means 'Stoke will begin their London division one campaign a week later than scheduled - against mighty Richmond, instead of Old Colfeians.

Dixon said: "London Scottish will be good preparation for going to Richmond. Once tomorrow's game is out of the way, we can start to look forward to the league, starting at Richmond."

Basingstoke: Brian Parsons; Carl White, Vincent Feausi, Dan Rees, Jason Luff; Matt Lucas, Andy Byett; Simon Lovegrove, Matt Evans, Phil Perkins, Andy Wilson, Ross Stirling, Simon Appleby, Jim Dixon, Selwyn St Bernard. Replacements: Darren Lillywhite, Vivian Deetlefs, Chris Hampson, Tom Northcote, Dave Pack.