They were neck and neck throughout last season's Hampshire Division One season, before Petersfield finally clawed away from Southampton to take the championship and promotion.

Southampton followed them via the play-offs and the pair meet once again - this time in London Division Four South-West.

However, unlike the success enjoyed last year, both sides are struggling with just two wins and a draw between them in six games played to date.

There is sure to be a explosive atmosphere for the return to Penns Place for Tony Cador's Southampton, the scene of a 20-14 reverse last October, just one of their two defeats all season - the other the eventful 12-7 loss at home to the same opponents.

But Saints are in need of a morale-boosting win following two tight defeats in the last three games and recall Matt Inder to the second row in place of the unavailable Ian Budd.

The side is otherwise unchanged from that defeated at US Portsmouth and

fly-half Dave Griffiths is keen to see a reversal in the recent trend. "We

have hopefully learnt from those close defeat experiences and come out stronger for it," he said.

After their escape act at Purley John Fisher, Tottonians return home to face mid-table Old Emanuel in a game that is not as clear-cut as it may seem against the useful but often wayward Surrey outfit.

Ali Hall replaces Mark Amey at blindside flanker in the only change to the side that pinched the unlikely victory at Old Coulsdon last weekend.

Trojans, without a win, travel to a former Premiership ground for their match with the amateur arm of the London Irish club, desperate for a victory to kick-start their season.

They go to the top of the M3 at Sunbury-on-Thames with just the one change from the team defeated by Petersfield. Tristan Allen comes in for Nels Bernhardt at inside centre.