PHIL Della-Savina returns to the Basingstoke line-up on Sunday as the FX-backed side travel to Gosport and Fareham for a Hampshire Cup semi-final.

The Down Grange club's former captain has missed the last two games due to a club suspension for picking up a red card in the top-of-the-table clash with Havant.

Earlier this week the Hampshire disciplinary committee decided that the punishment fitted the crime and so he is free to play again.

Player-coach Ian Calder said: "I am very pleased with the outcome as we have not lost without Della. Coming back in for Sunday's big game, I am sure he will inspire the boys around him.

"Stoke's semi-final opponents Gosport and Fareham are having a good season and are in the semi-finals of the Powergen Intermediate Cup.

Calder believes his opponents will not be the easy pushover that Portsmouth were in the last round.

He said: "For them it is their cup final, which will make our job difficult, but we go there looking for a win as I know every player wants to play in a cup final."

He added: "That will be a new experience for me as in New Zealand we only have league rugby."

Victory over Gosport and Fareham will book a final place for the cup holders against either Havant or Andover. The winners of that semi-final will host the final.

Club captain Richard Baker is named as a replacement.

Basingstoke: N Young, M Evans, S Collins, N Hooker, S Drawbridge, M Reeve, P Della-Savina, S St Bernard, T Dean, I Calder, G Jones, N Taylor, J Rees, R Joseph, C Norton. Reps A Riley, S Buttle, A Watson, R Baker, D Jones, R Holmes.