HIGH-SCORING league leaders, Petersfield, will have their mettle tested to the full when they host unbeaten second-placed side Southampton at Penns Place tomorrow in the pick of the Hampshire One schedule.

Though many are describing the match as an early indicator to the destination of the league championship, the city side are taking it in their stride and pouring scorn on those thoughts.

Saints are without winger Julian Robins and Andy Scott fills that berth. Gary Wilkinson will feature on the flanks, accompanying his skipper.

Full-back Dave Griffiths, who posted a brace of tries in the victory over Millbrook last week, knows it will be a tough encounter.

"Petersfield appear to be on top of their game," said the club stalwart.

"But it seems far too early in the season for this game to be called the title decider."

The east Hampshire side, having already scored 157 points in their opening two matches, are definitely the team to beat. Petersfield will be even keener to close a sad week for the club with a victory.

Former Hampshire president David Church, a member of Petersfield for over 50 years passed away last week and, his son Will, is included in the side to face Southampton.

Former club fly-half Adrian Spafford plays his first match in over a year as Millbrook host unpredictable Guernsey, looking to improve on their close loss at Southampton.

Spafford, who had a double hernia at the end of the season two years ago, answers manager Alan Day's call to replace holidaying Wayne Renwick.

Chris Ings is back from Portugal and regains his full-back berth, while Lee Sign comes into the second row, moving Carl Watkins to flanker and Wayne Allen to the replacements' bench on a squad rotation system.

Day is unsure what to expect from the Channel Islanders. "This game will tell us a lot about ourselves," he said.

"We played some good rugby last week and there is a real buzz at the moment.

"Everyone is looking forward to the game, as matches against Guernsey are always quite strange."

Romsey travel to Sandown & Shanklin with an unrecognisable team, as their monstrous injury list grows.

There are debuts for backs Dave Ebsworth and Adam Trotman, while Paul Double switches to second row in place of Andy Mott.

"We have never had so many injuries this early in the season," said Gary Banks.

Eastleigh captain Clive Wooding is back in the front line for his side's home match with Isle of Wight in Hampshire Two.