The weather could have a major say in the events in Hampshire Division 1, especially at the Ashley Sports Ground where league leaders New Milton & District host unbeaten second-placers Romsey in a titanic battle.

Matches between the pair have always been keenly contested and the visitors will be wanting to erase the memory of a friendly match played last season, when they roared into a 28-0 lead in 15 minutes, only to lose 31-28!

Admittedly, that was only a friendly, but Milton have surprised many with their performances this season and, if they are to be taken as serious contenders, they will be looking to recreate the showing that disposed of fancied Farnborough last month.

Romsey, though, have not lost this season and they are at full strength, with all those players unavailable for the Alton cup defeat back in the side, including the key pairing of Pete Ellis and Darren Sharpe at half-backs.

Prop JJ Barber and flanker Paul Hudson are both suspended by the club following their sending-offs as they await their disciplinary hearings so Stuart McCormick and Grant Oughton remain in the side.

The Foresters welcome back their captain, Matt Rule, from Army service in Germany and flanker Matt Colein but will be minus former Totts centre Steve Broomfield. Adam Peate also keeps his place having impressed coach Norman Cracknell in last week's defeat at Brighton.

At the other end, it is Eastleigh current against Eastleigh former, as the Bishopstoke side travel to the Riverside to play Hamble, the club formed out of a breakaway ten years ago.

It is the second time they have met in league competition, but this game comes at a tricky time for both as neither has a win to their name - the difference being Hamble have had two points deducted for fielding an unregistered player at Guernsey in September.

The family Noonan are back in partnership for Eastleigh, with father Hugh, son Peter and uncle Seamus, who played in the dark and light blue of Hamble before returning to his old stamping ground. Arnie Payne continues his recovery from injury on the replacements' bench.

Millbrook's worries in the backs don't seem to be easing as full-back Mike Goodridge joins Ratu Degei, Richard Wyer and a host of others on the sidelines, which is not a good omen for the difficult trip to Sandown & Shanklin.

Jason Harris moves to full-back and Mike Phippard is given a start on the wing in yet another switch. Manager Alan Day wishes the back division could mirror that of the forwards, which stays unchanged.

"The team is quite fluid at the moment, with the second team coming with us to the Island, as they play Isle of Wight II. The replacements will probably be picked on the ferry, but we are really struggling," said Day.

After the events of Fareham Heathens' return flight from Guernsey last November, their visit to Cams Alders could be an entertaining one with the visitors likely to remind their hosts of that evening!

But Heathens, who have booked a replacement pitch at Brookfield School in case theirs does not make the grade with the weather as forecast, could take a giant leap up the table to match their recent run of form.

Nick Hodge plays on the wing while Harry Harris is preferred to Richard Botham in the front row. Duncan Nixon makes his return to the squad after suffering a long-term injury.