THE three Basingstoke players who helped Hampshire into tomorrow's semi-finals of the County Shield keep their places against Oxfordshire at Down Grange.

Although it is Cup final day, a large crowd is expected for a 3pm kick-off in a match between the two southern pool winners.

Openside flanker Simon Appleby made an impressive county championships debut last Saturday, when he helped Hampshire to a 23-19 win over Somerset at Down Grange.

His break helped earn the home county a penalty try while his Basingstoke team-mates Steve Buttle and Matt Evans played a half each.

Buttle, who seven days before made his County Championship debut at the age of 43, was in the starting line-up at tighthead prop and Evans came on after the break at hooker.

Victory tomorrow will carry Hampshire through to the final at Twickenham a week later, when their opponents will be Northumberland or North Midlands, who clash in the northern semi-final tomorrow.

A win will also guarantee Hampshire promotion to the County Championship from the County Shield next season.

If Hampshire lose at Basingstoke tomorrow, there is a second avenue to reach the top flight - an away play-off on Sunday, May 25, against either the winners of Surrey and Kent, who also clash tomorrow.

There are few changes made to the Hampshire line-up by coach Simon Morgan.

Russ Forster of Portsmouth returns in the second row for coach's son Matthew Morgan while Hampshire should again feature the four Osman brothers - Nick at full-back, Tim and Russell in the centre and Phil at fly-half.

There is a fitness doubt over wing Grant Erskine and Derek Aldridge will step up from the bench if Erskine fails to make it. Matt Gronow of Portsmouth is the likely new replacement.

If the teams are drawing at the end of 80 minutes, 10 minutes each way of extra time will be played. If that fails to separate the two teams, tries scored and then goals scored will decide and, after that, Oxfordshire will go through as the away team.

Also in action this weekend are Hampshire's sevens team who play in an inter-county tournament at Old Beccehamians in Kent.

This provides a second chance for Hampshire to play at the game's headquarters. The regional winners go on to semi-finals at Twickenham in the morning of the two county finals.

Hampshire (v Oxfordshire at Down Grange): Nick Osman (Newbury); Neil McGovern (Havant), Russell Osman, Tim Osman (both Henley), Grant Erskine (Portsmouth); Phil Osman (Henley), Liam Davenport (Havant); Marcus Coffin (Southampton), Andy Tart (Havant), Steve Hellier (Alton), Russ Forster (Portsmouth), Nick Allica, Nick Whittle (both Havant), Simon Appleby (Basingstoke), Dave Archer (Havant).

Reps: Matt Evans, Steve Buttle (both Basingstoke), Omeed Matini (Havant), Scott Chesney (Petersfield), Andy Ashwin (Winchester), Nick Cooper (Havant), Derek Aldridge (Petersfield).