Lock Nick Murphy and flanker Louis Mifsud return from injuries to boost Bournville’s pack for Saturday’s National Two West North Midlands derby against Newport at Avery Fields (2.30pm).
Both missed the defeat at Exeter University last Saturday but come back into the starting XV as Bournville look to avenge the defeat they suffered at Newport in December.
Mifsud’s return allows Ben O’Sullivan to move from the blindside flank to number eight to cover for Jonjo Fanning, who is again ruled out by concussion which he suffered against Loughborough Students two weeks ago.
Captain Chris Idehen switches from number eight to the openside flank in place of Lewis Hall and Murphy returns in place of Matt Spence who deputised last week.
There are two changes in the back division with Alex Grove returning to partner Sam Grimshaw in the centre and Rhys Williams replacing his brother, Owen, at full-back.
Owen is unavailable this week and will miss only his second match this season and it will be the first time that he has not been in a matchday squad since the victory over Dudley Kingswinford on September 9.
On the bench, prop Kurtis Payne returns to the squad for the first time in three months having recovered from a facial injury with Josh Bloomfield, who has started the last two games, swapping places with Grove.
Newport arrive at Avery Fields occupying one of the two relegation places, three points above basement boys Dudley Kingswinford but 16 adrift of Bournville.
Since they beat Bournville 32-16 at Forton Road on November 4, Newport’s only victory has been against DK at home last month.
Bournville were 22-12 winners when the sides met at Avery Fields last season in the first National Leagues fixture between them with two previous home league wins in Midlands Premier in 2018/19 and Midland One West in 2016/17.
Bournville | 15 Rhys Williams; 14 Alex Evans, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Grimshaw, 11 Nathan Decalmer; 10 Jacob Fewtrell, 9 Jay West; 1 James Burgoyne, 2 James Weaver, 3 Staffan Thorp, Ben Meakin, 5 Nick Murphy, 6 Louis Mifsud, 7 Chris Edehen (C), 8 Ben O’Sullivan.
Replacements | 16 Ollie Stone, 17 Kurtis Payne, 18 Lewis Hall, 19 Josh Bloomfield, 20 Will Aylen.
Scrum-half Billy McDonough will make his first appearance in more than three months for Bournville Blues in their Midlands Reserve Team Leagues First Division match against Dudley Kingswinford 2nd XV at Avery Fields on Saturday (1.45pm).
The former Worcester Warriors Under-18s prospect suffered a knee ligament injury against Dings Crusaders on November 11 but has now regained full fitness and will start for the Blues on Saturday.
Having stepped up to the first XV last week, Matt Spence will captain the Blues from number eight this week as they return to league action after a three-week gap.
In addition to two live matches at Avery Fields on Saturday, the Guinness Six Nations matches between Ireland and Wales and Scotland v England will be screened in the clubhouse.
Bournville Blues | 15 Niall Demel; 14 Harry Scarlett, 13 Phil Valegatu, 12 Matt Shepherd, 11 Henry Corbett; 10 Sam Wilson, 9 Billy McDonough; 1 Kieron Maguire, 2 Dan Hood, 3 Mantas Urbanavicius, 4 Dan Lewis, 5 Sam Beckford, 6 Harry Belcher, 7 Jamie Allison, 8 Matt Spence (C).
Replacements | 16 Luka Rajkovik, 17 Joe Nellany, 18 Jamie Avery, 19 Sean Kimberley.
