After a weekend with no league rugby the Nuns travel to Silhillians for a Warwickshire derby as 9th play 10th with plenty up for grabs. Both sides had a weekend off last week and now head into the final quarter of the season with 30 points still on offer. When the two sides met earlier in the season it was the Nuns that came out victorious 21-17 against a side that offered a number of threats on the day. In the last round of fixtures played the Nuns pushed league leaders Syston all the way only to be denied a losing bonus point at the end of the game, having also been in with a chance to get more through put the game. They will be looking to step up again from that last performance on Saturday. Sils picked up an excellent 43-19 win at Burton in their last game. With all teams apart from Sils and Nuneaton in action last weekend, wins for teams has seen the Nuns move to 9th in the league on 38 points with 6 wins and 14 bonus points. Sils sit in 10th with 31 points from 6 wins and 7 bonus points.

The Saxons have a big derby this weekend as Atherstone come to Liberty Way and they will be looking to carry on the form from their excellent 38-19 win over Lichfield in their last game. When the two sides met earlier in the season Atherstone won 31-19 and a home win this time out would be most welcome. Atherstone are currently 5th on 40 points with the Saxons 8th on 26 points.

The Saracens have no game this week after losing last weekend at Leamington 36-19.

The Colts resume their league campaign with a match against Old Coventrians in what will be their first game this year. District rugby and cold weather has meant an extended break for the squad but it has been really positive to see a number of senior players step up to adult rugby in this period as well as those playing U17 district competition.

Team news: in the pack Benji Mitchell returns in the second row, Ben Haywood and James Lloyd are unavailable with Oli Mitchell coming on to the back row.

Ben Kirby moves to full back and Ryan Preston returns in the centre for the only change in the backs.

Jack Iles, Elliott Brown and Mike Volaikisuva are ready to add fresh legs in reserve.

Squad to play Silhillians RFC, Away 2.15pm:

1 James Redman*
2 Louis Addleton
3 Ben Dawes
4 Benji Mitchell*
5 Tom Aherne
6 Oli Mitchell*
7 Zeb Gibson
8 Martin Wood
9 Tobias Trafford
10 Lucas Brindley*
11 Travis Bennett-Allcock *
12 Tom Eales
13 Ryan Preston
14 Tak Chawadya
15 Ben Kirby
16 Jack Iles*
17 Elliott Brown
18 Mike Volaikisuva*

*Nuneaton RFC Pathway Players

Saxons V Atherstone, Home 2:15pm:

Dave Darker*, Ryan Marsh, Steve Orton, Tyler Freeman*, Chris Smith*, James O’Donoghue, Sam Wallis*, Thor Sidhu*, Joe Franklin*, George Wallis*, Clive Brampton, Ben Stewart*, Tom Smitham*, Marcus Holt*, Lewis Cox*, Ben Gilbert*, Scott Cawley, Harry Beverley*, Josh Wright, Charlie Smith*, Ben Gilbert*

Regional 1 Midlands Round 18 Fixtures:

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

Regional 1 Midlands Round 17 Results:

Bridgnorth 84-7 Kenilworth
Burton 19-43 Silhillians
Derby 12-22 Bromsgrove
Dudley Kingswinford 20-0 Long Eaton
Syston 33-19 Nuneaton
Banbury 15-29 Stourbridge

Catch Up Results – February 8th

Banbury 17-21 Syston
Derby 25-19 Bridgnorth
Dudley Kingswinford 54-12 Stourbridge
Kenilworth 7-52 Burton
Long Eaton 24-22 Bromsgrove