Andover can open up a gap between themselves and the winless bottom two if they can beat one of them at the Goodship Ground tomorrow (3pm) as troubled Wimbledon arrive for a huge four-pointer in London Two South.
The week off has helped Keith Mitchell's side in terms of availability, but there is still no return for skipper Rob Gardner, centre Craig Runciman or back row forward Alex McNair.
Chris Patterson plays in his third different position this season, having moved from prop to flanker and now into Gardner's hooker spot, while second team captain Graham Parker fills in at lock. Mick Cockings misses out on Army duty.
"This should be a big one on Saturday," considers Mitchell. "This game is very important and a win a must. I don't care if it is by one point or 101 points, two league points at home is the aim, so we can stretch away a bit from the bottom."
Andover's cause will be helped further if Portsmouth can beat the other side without a win, ex-Havant and Andover coach Simon Dear and his Effingham & Leatherhead side, who are rooted to the foot of the league with five defeats.
Portsmouth coach Ian Chandler, with availability and slight injury worries, names a squad of 21 to keep his options open against a team who, under Dear, have never beaten a Hampshire side.
But this league is wide open, considers Chandler and they will be expecting: "a tough game against a well-drilled side and a good set of forwards. Their results mean nothing to us, but we must return to winning ways in the league."
Army Rugby League pair Jon Hogarth and player/coach Sean Fanning have returned from their excursions in Australia to regain their place in the Gosport & Fareham side that host Old Mid-Whitgiftians.
But Steve Emm and Dave Goddard, who leave for Philadelphia at the weekend, replace them on Army RL duty, so two backs replace two backs for a match they should win, having posted 150 points against the Surrey opposition in two meetings last season.
With a number of forwards uncertain, skipper Simon Burns names a squad of 23, which includes former Havant full-back Chris Manktelow as well as ex-Paxton Puma Martin Beard.
Ben Slatter will miss out on a visit from his old teammates from Gloucester-based Old Richians as he is suspended.
Busy man Burns, a member of the Portsmouth Command side that have three matches in the week during the Inter Command Tournament, said, "We could go top if we win this game and Tunbridge Wells go down to Beckenham. It is very close, so it is important that we take both points."
Once again there are injuries galore at Winchester, which cuts skipper Richard Knight, county captain Rolf Stratford and a host of others from their squad that travel to the Linford Christie Stadium to play London Nigerian, a side with an identical record to their own.
Andy Ashwin will lead the side that sees Will Jacobs retained and Ricky Taylor recalled to that successful over US last weekend. "I was encouraged last week, with us scoring seven tries," said coach Mike Marchant.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article