DOM Murphy will step into the breach for Malvern Rugby Club to solve their tighthead crisis ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Newton Abbot in National Three South West (2.15pm).

Regular number threes Jack Cosgrove and Tim Pickard are both unavailable but head coach Nick Tisdale has been able to draft in Murphy to fill the void.

Youngster Cosgrove is playing for Worcester Warriors under 18s against Sale, while Pickard, who is in the Sixways community team, will be working at the LV= Cup clash with Saracens.

Tisdale said: “Our two main tightheads are not available but Dom has been a regular starter for Malvern over the last few years so that is a blessing in disguise.

“He played in our narrow defeat to top-of-the-table London Irish Wild Geese in the league just before Christmas and had a really good game.”

Malvern will also be without young openside Harry Nuttall, who has been a key player for the side this term but is unavailable due to work commitments.

Veteran back-rower Stuart Clark will wear the number seven jersey.

Newton Abbott, despite being well-placed in fifth spot, come to Spring Lane on the back of an 83-19 hammering at Weston-super-Mare last time out.

With Malvern’s trip to Cheltenham-based Old Patesians postponed last weekend, Tisdale was able to go and watch the Devon side in action.

“I didn’t learn much from watching the game unfortunately,” he admitted.

“Newton Abbot were a shadow of their usual self and Weston were absolutely on fire.

“We lost 24-3 at Weston at the beginning of January but played well and I felt we should have got something out of the game.

“I imagine Newton Abbot will want a reaction to their heavy defeat.

“But I am confident we can catch them cold if we can make a good start to the game.

“I think it was a false performance from them at Weston — they are a better side than that.

“It is a huge couple of weeks for us.

“After the home game with Newton Abbot, we then host Oxford Harlequins, who are one place below us in the table.”