LOWESTOFT and Yarmouth make their third consecutive trip into Essex with a visit to bottom side Billericay. Earlier in the season L&Y won 32-10 in a feisty affair at Gunton Park and they fully expect the home side to put up another confrontational display this weekend.

LOWESTOFT and Yarmouth make their third consecutive trip into Essex with a visit to bottom side Billericay.

Earlier in the season L&Y won 32-10 in a feisty affair at Gunton Park and they fully expect the home side to put up another confrontational display this weekend. Billericay have improved over the season and only lost narrowly to Wanstead last week, whereas a tough draw at Canvey Island and a fine win away to Dagenham last week has left L&Y with a string of injuries and unavailabilities.

Director of Rugby Scott Nelson is well aware that L&Y have no chance of either promotion or relegation, so he is happy to draft in a batch of second XV players to see if they can handle the higher standard.

Out of contention are props Wayne Nixon and Jake Titterington, lock Russ Wilkinson, young flankers Ryan Oakes, Jan Sheijde and Callum Cashman, centre Myles McAlone and winger Kristan Taylor-Crisp. Late fitness tests apply to prop Richard Bristo, winger Matt Howell and full-back Josh Fewkes.

Likely starting props are second XV captain Lee Protheroe and the experienced Graeme Newton, with promising youngster Wayne Hall on the bench. Another good prospect, Adam Woodrow, joins Simon Coleman in the second row, Carl Lewis covers the backrow, while Chris Fletcher misses out on a first start at full-back due to unavailability. Chris Howe returns to hooker, moving Lewis Davey back to his favoured flanking berth, and Matt Jary comes into fly-half so Nelson can join Steve Adams in a powerful centre partnership.