Five games to save themselves from a swift return to London Division 1. That's Havant's plight at the foot of National Division 3 South - and they must start winning soon.

But they go from one blazing frying pan into another fire this weekend. Having lost at leaders Rosslyn Park six days ago, they must travel to second-placed Lydney, a side with their eyes firmly focused upon joining the south-west Londoners' promotion party, probably via the play-offs.

Once again, though, the visitors are far from downbeat, despite not winning a league game since late November, and the spirit of the side is still positive given their effort in 'restricting' the free-scoring Park to just a 33-11 triumph on their own patch.

For a change, Havant have players returning instead of dropping out, although leading try-scorer Wes Robertson is absent because of the injury he picked up at Roehampton and previously ever-present centre Owen Jones is unavailable.

The return of skipper Joe Duffett, second-row partner Nick Allica and flanker Jon Barfoot, who became a proud father of a son last weekend, is a major boost - as is the debut of Irish provincial player Owen Cobbe, a recent signing, at fly-half.

Forest of Dean-based Regentsholm is not an easy place to visit, but their last game ended in defeat, so how Havant would like to make it two in a row.

Basingstoke could do with one more victory to ensure their place in the division for next season and they could achieve that when North Walsham make the long trek down the A11 - if they are not turned back in view of the icy road like they were in January.

The fourth-placed Norfolk side will be a tough nut to crack, but director of rugby Ian Calder has been pleased with his side's recent displays, including the narrow reverse at Blackheath last week.

Tony Windett becomes the seventh player to play in the second row this season in the only change to the side from last week, although the availability of Phil Della-Savina is still uncertain, so Marcus Reeve stands by.

Calder realises the need for a crucial two points for a win. "Hopefully we will get it sooner rather than later," he said.

Portsmouth's promotion hopes were almost knocked off course last week before they sneaked past Andover 34-32, but they know they have to keep winning and hope both Worthing and Tunbridge Wells slip up along the way in the last four games of the campaign.

Portsmouth travel to second-last Effingham & Leatherhead with a full strength side that sees the return of veteran number eight Brit Pearce in the starting line-up for the first time in five months - replacing the unavailable James Pegler.

Australian Damian Abbey has picked up a calf strain and is rested for both games this weekend, meaning a recall for Ian Thatcher.

"It should be a hard game as they ran Gosport close last week," said the recovering Ian Chandler, who has recently had an operation on his nose. "But we know we have to keep winning to remain within a sniff of second place."

Andover were mauled by Wimbledon earlier in the season so revenge is on the mind of Keith Mitchell's side as they play their re-arranged fixture - if the weather stands up on the notoriously damp Surrey ground.

With the visitors having two games over the weekend, the coach spreads his squad to allow Frenchy Childs and debutant Andy Jones a game. Therefore Craig Runciman and Alex McNair sit on the bench.

Like Basingstoke, Andover could also do with one more win to assure safety - a supreme effort given they were bottom of the table at the Christmas break. With players back in the fold, Mitchell feels his side can get those two points tomorrow.