In the light of current league positions and form, London Division 4 South-West leaders Tottonians' short trip over the Redbridge Causeway to Test Park should be a formality against a Southampton team third from bottom.

Totts, unbeaten and four points clear at the summit, are riding high and have influential vice captain Ali Ramus back from his Japanese business trip to replace the unfortunate Clive Wilkes, who impressed in the Intermediate Cup win at Crawley.

The ankle injury Paul Brading suffered against Farnham has recovered and he regains his centre position from teenager Michael Searle, a player who has excelled but has to be satisfied with a substitute's berth.

Southampton know they will have their work cut out, but have caused a surprise this season by beating London Irish Amateur and they would like nothing more than to knock over their nearest rivals on a day that is likely to be a wild and windy one at the open parkland.

That will barely suit Tottonians' style of play but they did prove they could play in the rain when they sank Trojans 63-20 a fortnight ago.

Scrum-half Martin Marks returns for Mark Roderick, while Pete Fox moves to the unaccustomed position of hooker to allow Marcus Coffin to take a prop berth. Paul Brant steps down to the replacements' bench.

"This has been an extremely difficult game at the best of times over the last couple of years, but it is made more difficult with our lack of form and availability problems," said Saints fly-half Dave Griffiths. "However, it is a home game where we generally do play better."

There is bad news for the visitors though, with their captain Miles Northover's ankle injury turning out to be more serious than originally conceived. He does not expect to return for at least a month.

Purley John Fisher are Trojans' visitors and the basement dwellers could do with picking up the points to begin the climb up the table. They give Richard Gilbertson and Steve Fitzgerald starts in the front-row to aid this. The Surrey side are sixth, so Trojans could close the gap between them to two points, as could Southampton, if they beat Totts.

Both could do with county rivals Petersfield doing them a favour by beating fellow strugglers Cranleigh at Penns Place, a result which may see the East Hampshire men jump to second - if US Portsmouth beat London Irish.

In the National League Division 3 South, Havant have a testing trip around the M25 to resurgent Barking, whom they will take lightly at their peril, especially after crushing them at home earlier in the season 49-13.

Chairman of Rugby Adam King remarked: "It was probably the worst thing we could have done, as they have not stopped playing really well since". His comment was backed up by Barking's 51-24 win at Down Grange just six days ago.

The travellers made two changes in the pack with Nick Allica's unavailability allowing captain Joe Duffett to regain his place, while Nick Whittle's rib injury has cleared so he pushes Dylan Raubenheimer to the replacements' bench.