There is a dangerous three-point gap starting to appear at the bottom of Hampshire Division 1 - and for Eastleigh, Millbrook and Fawley, the time is now to close it.

Although it is far too early to start talk of relegation - two are demoted at the season's close - these three sides need to turn around their seasons otherwise this fear will become a serious reality.

But all three face difficult home fixtures but they are looking to use that advantage to their gain - especially Millbrook who receive unbeaten leaders Guernsey to the Recreation Ground.

The Channel Islanders do not have an unblemished record on the sloping home of the emerald and scarlets and 'Brook skipper Dean Weaver is urging his side to break their duck - and quickly.

He is forced into making a couple of changes to his side with Martin Colmer coming in to the second row and Adrian Spafford returning at fly-half for the unavailable Alan Day. Mike Goodridge slots in at full-back.

"It will be a tough game but we need to win soon," Weaver pointed out.

Bottom-placed Fawley face a Trojans side that coach Pete Surtees feels is returning to its best, which is bad news for the winless Watersiders.

Surtees names what he describes as the best back line he has been able to field all season with Simon Williamson joining exciting teenager Ian Hudson and skipper Tim Zeale.

Third choice hooker Ian Smith comes in as do back-row pair Stu Fordham and Martin Pearson with Steve LeBas enjoying the World Cup at close quarters and Dave Strange at a wedding. Their injury problems are also easing, with Matt Knight just a week away from full fitness.

Meanwhile, Eastleigh trained under the plumes of smoke from the industrial estate blaze on Wednesday evening and they will be hoping they can take some of the fire into their game with New Milton & District.

The Bishopstoke side will be without the pacy Wayne Rawlins for the rest of the season (he broke his leg in the 41-0 defeat on Guernsey last week) and scrum-half Gareth Carson, who required six stitches in a gash above his eye.

With those injuries, they are unable to name their side until after this week's training.

Fareham Heathens take on second-placed Isle of Wight with the words of the captain ringing in their ears following the disappointment of their performance against Trojans last weekend.

They know that the visit to the Island will be equally as tough, especially as the Islanders are riding high at present.

Skipper Mark Dunning is keen for his side to take the game to the hosts and show them no respect.

"I am confident in the side's abilities as individuals but, most importantly, as a team," he said.

The Islanders, however, have just two positions to sort out, with Richard Dollimore, Neil Emerson and Paul Courage battling it out between the fly-half and left-wing places.