Josh Tutt will make his first competitive start for Bournville in Saturday’s National Two West match against Cinderford at Dockham Road (3pm).
Tutt, a summer recruit from Sutton Coldfield, featured in Bournville’s pre-season programme but had to wait for the trip to Old Redcliffians three weeks ago, when he came off the bench, for his debut.
Tutt, who has been recalled from a loan spell with Burton, will start at Cinderford as one of four changes to the side who suffered an agonising defeat against Luctonians two weeks ago.
Loosehead prop James Burgoyne returns having completed a three-match suspension which was imposed following his sending-off against Exeter University.
James Mann also comes into the starting line-up at fly-half with Jacob Fewtrell switching to the centre to partner Joe Jenkins, who moves from full-back.
Nathan Decalmer switches from the left-wing to full-back with Will Loftus, who scored his maiden try when he came off the bench against Luctonians, named as a starter this week.
Bournville have opted for a 4-1 split on the bench – a decision partly enforced by injuries and unavailability – with Joe Nellany the sole back.
Bournville head to Cinderford seeking their first away win of the season and their first on turf since February 2023.
They also know that time is running out on their attempt to avoid relegation to the regional leagues.
One of the bottom two sides across the three National Two leagues will be spared relegation and that looks likely to be in the North division where bottom club Hull (40), Harrogate (45), Preston Grasshoppers (46) and Billingham (46) already have more points than Bournville’s 34.
With a maximum of 15 points left to play, Bourns need to take something from Saturday’s match. Having taken 23 points out of a potential 40 in the first eight matches of the season, Bourns have since taken just 11 out of a possible 75 in their last 15, one of which came against Cinderford at Avery Fields.
Bournville | 15 Nathan Decalmer; 14 Will Loftus, 13 Joe Jenkins, 12 Jacob Fewtrell, 11 Josh Tutt; 10 James Mann, 9 Reiss Price; 1 James Burgoyne, 2 Jake Bailey, 3 Clarkson Mcleod, 4 Nick Murphy, 5 Ben Meakin (C), 6 Kieran Henderson, 7 Adam Shaw, 8 Jonjo Fanning.
Replacements | 16 James Weaver, 17 Kuba Kijak, 18 Harry Dawson, 19 Stef Thorp, 20 Joe Nellany.
*Bournville Blues face Woodrush in a Counties Three Midlands West (South) promotion showdown at Avery Fields (3pm).
The Blues are second in the table a point ahead of third-placed Woodrush. Upton, who head the table with a four points lead over the Blues, complete their league programme at fourth-placed Cleobury Mortimer.
Prop Scott Rudge, who started for the first team against Luctonians, starts for the Blues this week with coach Alex Grove at fly-half.
Lock Matt Spence starts at second row and brings valuable experience to the pack as the Blues attempt to end their first season in the RFU leagues in style.
Bournville Blues | 15 Niall Demel; 14 Jack Mitchell, 13 Mikey Ho, 12 Eddie Wiggins, 11 Liam Turner; 10 Alex Grove, 9 George Ayliffe; 1 Scott Rudge, 2 Conor Thorneycroft, 3 Sean Kimberley, 4 Matt Spence, 5 Harry Belcher, 6 Bhairaj Rai (C), 7 George Jewell, 8 Will Taylor.
Replacements | 16 Kieran McGuire, 17 Sam Beckford, 18 Ben Harper, 19 Luka Rajkovic, 20 Alex Sullivan.
