A BURNING desire to return to the London Leagues at the first time of asking will be Trojans' spur this season - but they have been dealt a tough assignment to start with.
Unbeaten Division Two champions Isle of Wight will be Russell Clarke's first competitive opponents as Trojans captain, having taken over the reigns from Ollie Joisce, who misses the boat trip having suffered an injury in training a fortnight ago.
Trojans have started well, having defeated Petersfield in convincing fashion in a friendly last week and they are in a positive frame of mind - a major turnaround from the relegation gloom six months ago.
Recent recruit from Farnborough, Adrian Browning, is given a debut in the front row while Matt Knight returns for the first time in the back row since the horrific shoulder injury he sustained last year.
The Islanders have sprung a surprise by including Romsey's German international winger Richard Dollimore in their starting line-up while Neil Brading and former Royal Navy Under 21 Stuart Bartlett are also named for the first time.
But they are hampered by the Isle of Wight triathlon on Sunday, which has denied them a number a players for the weekend.
Another side that will be joining Trojans across the Solent are the other promoted outfit, Fawley, who take on Sandown & Shanklin at The Fairway.
It certainly is a difficult start for new captain Ian Cromar on the sloping Sandown pitch but he is confident his charges can perform. "We know what Sandown is like but if we can play the way we did last week, then we can get the result," he said.
Craig Thomas, who scored three tries on his debut against Tottonians IIs last week, starts in the centre with close friend Russell Froud and Phil Martin debuts at fly-half. Billy Kauwale plays at scrum-half instead of Jeff Plumley, who remains on the sidelines with injury.
Millbrook will see whether Alan Day is fit and Adrian Spafford is available before firming up their team for the visit of Eastleigh, but they are certain to be at relatively full strength for Dean Weaver's first league match in charge of the green and reds.
Wayne Haywards, Eastleigh's new leader, has delayed his final selection also until after training but he has plenty to consider given his sides disappointing warm-up defeats.
The surprise package of last season was Fareham Heathens and they get the chance to repeat one of their best results when one of the fancied teams, Guernsey, travel to Cams Alders for an early kick-off (2pm).
Newcomer Neil Howarth starts for the first time in the red and black and much is expected after last season's exploits. Scrum-half Mark Dunning takes over the captaincy reins from veteran prop Mark Steward.
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