With home advantage and a three-league head start on their opponents, Basingstoke are the odds-on favourites to retain the Hampshire Worthington's Cup for the third successive time when they host Jersey tomorrow at Down Grange (3pm).

But that is just how the Channel Islanders like it. In only their third County Cup final in the 33-year history of the competition and just their second since 1979, the visitors know they face a daunting task.

With Basingstoke short of their main playmaker in injured director of rugby Ian Calder, they have a chance of upsetting the odds.

Calder seriously broke his arm in their National Division Three South clash with Lydney last weekend and is now in plaster with a six-inch pin supporting the bone.

However, he is the only change to an increasingly settled Basingstoke side with David Jones, in his first start since early season, slotting into the fly-half berth. Steve Collins and Neil Young battle it out for the remaining front-row place.

Jersey, who have had a good season in London Division Three South-West and are currently fourth behind runaway semi-pro Surrey pair Richmond and Barnes, are without influential Kiwi flanker Ian Henderson and second-row John Alou.

The absence of Henderson is no trouble, as they have 19-year-old Chris White, who has been a regular in the Royal Navy Under-21 side this season, to fill in. Ben Thorpe, the former Guys Hospital captain continues in the second-row.

Coach Dai Burton is hoping that his young and speedy backs, coupled with the strong pack that "has outscrummaged much bigger sides like Richmond, Barnes and Andover this season," can produce enough ball to play with.

Unlike their last appearance in the County Cup final, the 18-0 defeat at Winchester in 1998, his side are not going to freeze.

"We are by far the underdogs," the coach said. "But we go with no fears and are planning on enjoying the day by playing good rugby."

Calder, whose club have won the trophy nine times in the last 13 years, said: "We do not get many chances of picking up some silverware at this level and the Hampshire Cup is held in the highest regard by all at Basingstoke Rugby Club.

"What we will not do is take Jersey lightly. They deserve to be in the final because they are here, and we respect that. It is a cup tie where anything can happen, as we almost showed at Portsmouth in the semi.

"We were lucky to come out of that with the win."

If Jersey do win, it will complete a double for the senior Channel Island after Les Quennevais claimed the County Bowls trophy a fortnight ago.

It will also be the first time someone other than Stoke, Havant or Winchester have won it since 1983.