BUOYED by their impressive National Three Midlands victory over Scunthorpe, Malvern look to make further progress up the table at home to South Leicester tomorrow (2.15pm).
Having been hammered 66-13 at Scunthorpe in October, Malvern were eager for revenge and, driven on by man-of-the-match Rory Gratwohl, achieved a remarkable 79-point swing in the result to claim a 29-5 win.
South Leicester are pushing for promotion and lie just two points off the play-off spot, boasting only a single defeat at the hands of Rugby Lions all season.
The Spring Lane side’s head coach Liam Hughes said: “There is a great confidence in the squad this week after last week’s win where our forwards dominated, allowing our backs the freedom to move the ball.
“Having drawn 13-13 with South Leicester earlier in the season, we aim to go one better knowing that their big pack will be out to control the game.
“Confidence this week is sky-high.
Our pack are focused on providing the standard of platform our backs received against Scunthorpe, which allowed us to showcase what this squad is capable of.
“South Leicester have always had a big pack and a good kicking fly-half.
They have now added some strength to their back line and their league position illustrates their progress.
“This week we aim to fight fire with fire by taking their forwards head on, giving our exciting backs the chance to play some rugby. It promises to be a memorable battle.”
Owen Jones has recovered from a shoulder injury and replaces the unavailable Ollie Marshall on the bench, while Richard Fleming earns a starting spot.
Ryan Watkins takes his place on the bench off the back of a four-try, man-of-the-match performance for the development team last weekend.
First XV v South Leicester (h, 2.15pm): Milton; Fleming, Mustow, Miller, Fransson; Dixon, Longley; Tsang, Humphreys, Pickard, Williams, Cannock, Rawle, Edwards, Gratwohl. Replacements: Clarke, Jones, Watkins.
Development XV v TBC (2.15pm): Hillier; Rhodes, Griffiths, Doorbar, Ziegler; Budd, Southall; Wrightson, Prosser, Woods, Wilkes, Smith, Clarke, Daws, Örnberg.
Replacement: Irish.
Third XV v Evesham II (a, 2.15pm): Francis; Carlen, Venn, Williams, Sharratt; Schofield, Oliver; Blain, Rambridge, Downes, Hocking, Wolfe, Purcell, White, Ruddock. Replacements: Hopkins, Brownhill, Page.
Fourth XV v Worcester Wanderers II (h, 2.15pm): Cluett; Beech, Clarke, Roberts, Jenkins; Richards, Parsons; Cooper, Sturman/Campbell, Bailey, Gaubert, TBC, Hughes, Parsons, Green. Replacements: Merrick/Marshall, Green, Ash, Hill.
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