Competitive rugby takes a complete rest locally this week with teams only involved in friendly fixtures - and some not even sure whether they had a game or not by midweek.

This weekend and next have been kept free of league to allow for anticipated interest in the World Cup but with British participation now nil there has been a sudden keenness to find fixtures.

A variety of kick-off times has become apparent, as has a number of changes of fixtures, so checking what is actually happening before travelling to any game is advisable.

Trojans are now playing Bournemouth II and the second team entertain Southampton Institute, both with a 3pm kick-off. Trojans make five changes for the visit to Bournemouth, giving first-team debuts to Dan Reilly at scrum-half and Mike Smyth in the centre, while recalling Rod Fogg, Geoff Crane and Tim Savage.

Eastleigh, whose home game with Millbrook begins at 1.30, will be looking to test their recent improvement against opponents who have won all five recent league meetings between the two. Jim Longhurst plays in the centre and John Hurley and Jamie Perfect are named in the Eastleigh back-row.

Portsmouth's trip to Winchester kicks-off at 3pm with Portsmouth introducing Ashley Phillips to first XV action on the wing and Jamie McLaughlin recalled at scrum-half. Keith Tolson, Paul Gandy and James Pegler are brought in to cover for unavailability and injury in the pack.

Romsey recently gave a good account of themselves in an NPI Cup meeting with Southampton before losing a closely fought game. Tomorrow they visit Southampton II with a 1.30 start. The Romsey back division is the one that finished against New Milton last week but they give debuts in the pack with Barry Richardson and Garth Bruce making their first starts as the flankers.

Southampton firsts, in common with several other teams, were looking for a fixture in midweek and were anxious to obtain one to keep the momentum going from last week's success against Tottonians. In anticipation of success finding a fixture, Southampton have named a team containing two changes, Ben Fraser at flanker and Darren Smith at scrum-half, that have also meant switching Tony Cador to full-back and bringing Martyn Sheridan in at centre.

Havant were due to have hosted Gosport & Fareham but injuries and unavailability have led to this being cancelled. However, a strong Havant Dolphins squad has been named to visit United Services (1.30).

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.