The Nuns travel to Leicestershire to take on league leaders and unbeaten Syston this weekend in what will be a stern test for them. They will be looking to increase their accuracy with the ball this week and in turn create some pressure on the opposition as this was a key area to improve upon from last weekend when they lost to Dudley Kingswinford 21-27. They did pick up a try bonus point which took them to 38 league points and remain in 8th. Syston were winners last week, 33-19 at Bromsgrove, and retained their lead at the top of the table with 70 points from 14 wins and a draw, 11 points clear of second place. When the two sides met earlier in the season Syston won 36-28 with the Nuns snatching a late, 4 try bonus point.

The Saxons put in a spirited performance against second placed Lutterworth but came out on the wrong side of a 33-21 result. This week they host Lichfield, who defeated Tamworth 47-5 on the weekend to see them sit in 6th. When the two sides met earlier this season the Saxons lost 68-12 and they will want to put on an improved showing on that.

The Saracens lost 29-21 at Manor Park under lights on Friday but don’t have a game this week.

The Colts are back in action with a friendly against Broadstreet.

Team news: Ben Dawes returns in the front row. Ben Haywood moves into the second row for the unavailable James Moreton and James Lloyd and Zeb Gibson start in the back row. Oli Mitchell is unavailable and Benji Mitchell is nursing a knock.

Changes in the backline see Tobias Trafford start at scrum half and Tom Eales comes into the centre for the first time since injury in the first game of the season to partner Ben Kirby. Travis Bennett-Allcock moves back to the wing and Mike Volaikisuva is full back. Nemani Rayabo and Harry Beverley have been ruled out for a few weeks through injury.

Jack Iles, Joe Franklin and Charlie Smith are ready to add fresh legs in reserve.

Squad to play Syston RFC, Away 2pm:

1 James Redman*
2 Louis Addleton
3 Ben Dawes
4 Ben Haywood
5 Tom Aherne
6 James Lloyd
7 Zeb Gibson
8 Martin Wood
9 Tobias Trafford
10 Lucas Brindley*
11 Travis Bennett-Allcock *
12 Tom Eales
13 Ben Kirby
14 Tak Chawadya
15 Mike Volaikisuva *
16 Jack Iles*
17 Joe Franklin*
18 Charlie Smith*

*Nuneaton RFC Pathway Players

Saxons V Lichfield, Home 2:15pm:

Dave Darker*, Ryan Marsh, Steve Orton, Tyler Freeman*, Chris Smith*, James O’Donoghue, Clive Brampton, Thor Sidhu*, Owen Hollis*, Owen Freeman*, Ben Stewart*, Marcus Holt*, Lewis Cox*, Ben Gilbert*, Rhys Astin*, Will Cleaver*, Scott Cawley, James Astin*, Harris Carter*, Elliott Brown

Regional 1 Midlands Round 16 Fixtures:

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

Regional 1 Midlands Round 15 Results:

Derby 35-7 Long Eaton
Bromsgrove 19-33 Syston
Burton 46-24 Banbury
Kenilworth 12-105 Stourbridge
Nuneaton 21-27 Dudley Kingswinford