One of the two sides at the foot of Hampshire Division One will throw themselves a lifeline when Millbrook and Fawley clash tomorrow.

Neither side - they are both on on one point and three points adrift of the safety line - can afford defeat which will surely make this a mouthwatering encounter between two outfits who have shown recent signs of improvement.

Both progressed to the last eight of the Hampshire Plate last weekend with morale-boosting, much-needed wins and they will be using those as springboards going into this match.

Millbrook are able to field their strongest side with Richard Goodridge returning from a trip to Belgium, Martin Colmer back for Doug Nichols in the second row and Alan Day continues at scrum-half for the unavailable Andy Christey.

"I think this team will be competitive," said manager Day.

Fawley captain Iain Cromar will be urging his side to be equally determined, targeting a similar performance that sunk Fordingbridge on Sunday.

Trojans offer former Sussex Under-19 centre Alan Ryan a first start as they try and keep the pressure on the top two as they take on unpredictable Sandown & Shanklin at Stoneham Lane.

Ryan takes broken toe victim Ian Hudson's place while scrum-half Mark Sharpe's long term injury absence ends. Simon Matthews makes way for him and Grant Woods moves into the second row.

Harlequins protg Mark Greenhalgh returns for the festive break and takes a place on the bench as coach Pete Surtees looks to set about an attacking formation for the visit of the Islanders.

"Alan looks a very good player and has done well in the seconds over the last couple of weeks, so deserves his chance," he said.

Nick Western returns to the Fareham Heathens squad for the first time in a few seasons as they host resurgent Eastleigh.

The hosts are forced into a number of changes with Graham White moving to fly-half, Barry Mohamid switching to full-back and Niall Allardice going to the wing. Western is a replacement in his first game back.

Skipper Mark Dunning knows this will not be an easy game. "We must play for a full 80 minutes and dominate the full game. It is a game that we must win if we are to consolidate and build on our position in the league."

In Hampshire Division Two, one of the remaining 100 per cent records must go when top two Alresford and Nomads meet to take a grip on the championship race.

Both sides are at full strength for the game between the teams holding a perfect six out of six record thus far this season, although Nomads have lost a couple of games of late in cup competitions.

Local rivals Fordingbridge and Ellingham & Ringwood also do battle at the Recreation Ground.