The Nuns welcome Warwickshire rivals Kenilworth to Liberty Way this weekend as the Nuns look to turn their close defeat to Stourbridge last time out into a win. Both sides come into the game on the back of defeats, whilst the Nuns lost 26-19 to Stourbridge, Kenilworth lost 50-17 to Syston. Kenilworth currently sit 12th in the league with -2 points after an earlier match withdrawal saw them lose 5 points. They have picked up 3 bonus points to date from 9 defeats after a difficult start to the season. The Nuns remain in 7th with 20 points after 3 wins and 8 bonus points. When the two sides met in the Warwickshire Cup last season the Nuns came out winners 40-37 in an enthralling encounter.

The Saxons travel to Veseyans on the back of their second win of the season last time out. Having seen an improvement in recent performances they put in a strong all round showing to win 36-23 claiming a try bonus point. This moved them up a place in the league and on 12 points, the same as Veseyans.

The Saracens have no game this weekend.

The Colts go to Old Laurents for a friendly game having seen off Rugby ST Andrews in the league last weekend 41-0. This victory secured them a top 3 finish in the first round of games and so in the New Year they will play top teams from the other pool of sides.

Team news: the pack is the same as the one that faced Stourbridge last time out.

There are a few changes in the backline this week. Tom Smitham, Ben Kirby and Joe Wilson are all unavailable. Mike Volaikisuva starts at scrum half, Lucas Brindley moves to fly half with Ryan Preston coming back into the centre after a concussion, Arron Esiri starts on the wing

James Redman returns to the squad on the bench alongside Oli Mitchell. Nemani Rayabo has rejoined the club will be covering the backs.

Squad to play Kenilworth RFC, Home 2:15pm:

1 Ryan Marsh
2 Louis Addleton
3 Ben Dawes
4 Ben Haywood
5 Tom Aherne
6 Jack Iles*
7 Rudi Reid
8 Martin Wood
9 Mike Volaikisuva*
10 Lucas Brindley*
11 Aaron Esiri
12 Ryan Preston
13 Harry Beverley*
14 Tak Chawadya
15 Travis Bennett-Allcock *

16 James Redman*
17 Oli Mitchell *
18 Nemani Rayabo

*Nuneaton RFC Pathway Players

Saxon V Veseyans, Away 2:15pm:

Ben Holmes, Steve Orton, Ryan Evans*, Dave Darker*, Joe Franklin*, Chris Smith, Lee Booton, Ben Powell, Thor Sidhu*, George Wallis, Marcus Holt*, Charlie Smith*, Lewis Cox*, Harry Pipe*, Ben Gilbert*, Lachan Pollock*, Will Cleaver*, Scott Cawley, Blessed Gurajena

Regional 1 Midlands Round 9 Fixtures:

Bridgnorth V Burton
Stourbridge V Silhillians
Syston V Long Eaton
Dudley Kingswinford V Derby
Banbury V Bromsgrove
Nuneaton V Kenilworth

Regional 1 Midlands Round 7 Results:

Bromsgrove 21-19 Bridgnorth
Burton 29-12 Dudley Kingswinford
Long Eaton 21-28 Banbury
Silhillians 32-12 Derby
Kenilworth 17-50 Syston
Stourbridge 26-19 Nuneaton