MANY people had tomorrow's visit by Trojans' to US Portsmouth taped down as one of the games that would go a long way to deciding the destiny of the Hampshire Division 1 title.

It is very early to start writing off the Navy men. But they have suffered consecutive defeats - to New Milton & District in the league and Nomads in the Junior Vase - so Pete Surtees's side will feel confident of further denting the hosts' promotion ambitions.

The Stoneham Lane side have injury doubts with Tristan Allen coming in for skipper Russell Clarke and James Pennington continuing to deputise for Kurt Wilson but that will not detract from the matter in hand.

"The boys were looking very eager in training. We have noticed US's results but that does not count for anything and we know that they will be looking to this match to get their season back on track," points out the coach.

"We are just going down there looking for the win."

The two sides Trojans will need to keep an eye out for are Farnborough, who receive Nomads, and Fareham Heathens, who have the tricky trip to Sandown & Shanklin to contend with.

Portsmouth-based Nomads have players absent but are aided by the return of Nick Maslin from holiday and fly-half Matt Davis, who has escaped the Florida hurricanes!

Fareham Heathens are keeping their team under wraps until Thursday night's training but they know that the visit to The Fairway will not be easy as they aim to extend their lead at the top.

New Milton & District are also crossing the Solent, to play Isle of Wight, aiming to extend their impressive opening to the campaign.

Andy Harding returns after missing the Southampton cup victory and that allows skipper Matt Rule to revert to the back row. Adie Smith joins him at blindside flanker, while Paul Langford is recalled in the centre.

Millbrook had the training session from hell on Tuesday evening after the miserable performance of last weekend they will be anxious not to repeat when they go to promoted Alresford.

New recruit Graham Hill relieves Alan Day of the number ten shirt for the visitors, while the rest of the side remains unchanged.