JIM Dixon has had to reshuffle his back line to deal with the departure of Jason Luff, but he is confident it won't have a detrimental effect.

Ex-London Irish academy player Luff has left Down Grange to go to Exeter University. His last game was in the 10-29 defeat to Old Colfeians nine days ago.

The loss of winger Luff means senior coach Dixon has moved Springbok Jan van Jaarsveld away from centre to compensate, and introduced youngster Dan Rees next to Vincent Feausi.

The 26-year-old flanker explained: "Moving Jan out to the wing will give him a bit more space to exploit his pace, and I think we'll get the rewards of that.

"Bringing Dan in will take some of the pressure off Vincent. We've been using him as a bit of a battering ram offensively and defensively, but Dan is a very solid centre, so hopefully it will free up Vincent to attack."

The new back line-up was in action on Saturday in the club's second home game of the season in London division one, against Bishop's Stortford.

But one man who missed out was second row Kelvin Chapman. His long-standing knee injury jinx has flared up again, and Dixon doesn't know how long he will be without his influential captain.

"He's having a really unfortunate time with his knees," said Dixon.

"He's gutted too as he's only just got his new boots! But we need to get a proper MRI scan or athroscopy to find out what the damage is."

Dixon was hopeful 'Stoke would earn their first points of the season against Bishop's Stortford and put the sorry and shoddy defeat to Old Colfeians behind them.

After frank discussions at training on Tuesday night about the game, Dixon was pleased that the players held their hands up and admitted it was their relaxed and poor attitude towards their opponents that cost them a result.

"We all had things to say, because it was atrocious," said Dixon.

"The encouraging thing was we all recognised that.

"Hopefully, they have all learned their lesson and will make amends."