PROP Scott Rudge will make his first start of the season for Bournville in Saturday’s Regional One Midlands match against first-time visitors Newent at Avery Fields (3pm).
Rudge impressed when he came off the bench in last week’s narrow defeat at Bromsgrove and starts at loosehead against Newent in a re-jigged front-row.
Clarkson McLeod, who started at loosehead last week, switches to hooker with both Ben Rhodes and Jonjo Fanning unavailable.
There are changes in the back-row too where Jasper Smith and Chris Idehen also switch positions. Smith moves from number eight to blindside flanker with Idehen switching to the openside flank to replace Adam Shaw who has been suspended for three matches following his sending-off at Bromsgrove.
Former Dudley Kingswinford back-row Callum Nicholls will make his first start at number eight having featured as a replacement in the last two weeks.
There is one change of personnel in the back division with Joe Jenkins returning to partner Adam Collingwood in the centre. Mikey Ho moves back to the right wing to accommodate Jenkins.
On the bench, Poland Under-20s international prop Kuba Kijak features in the squad for the first time this season.
Captain Ben Meakin returns to the squad as a replacement with fly-half Jacob Fewtrell again leading the side.
Newent arrive at Avery Fields having made a strong start to their season with four wins from their first five matches including a 37-34 home success against Bridgnorth last Saturday.
The Gloucestershire club are currently third in the table, one place and three points ahead of Bourns, and just a point behind leaders Newport.
Bournville | 15 Mauro Miller; 14 Mikey Ho, 13 Joe Jenkins, 12 Adam Collingwood, 11 Nathan Decalmer; 10 Jacob Fewtrell (C), 9 Reiss Price; 1 Scott Rudge, 2 Clarkson McLeod, 3 Jake Thompson, 4 Kieran Henderson, 5 Harry Dawson, 6 Jasper Smith, 7 Chris Idehen, 8 Callum Nicholls.
Replacements | 16 Kuba Kijak, 17 Ben Meakin, 18 George Jewell.
• Bournville Blues make the short trip to Finstall Park to face Bromsgrove’s Second XV in their latest Counties Two Midlands West (East) league match.
The Blues are looking to get back to winning ways after consecutive defeats by Harborne and Claverdon. Saturday’s hosts are second in the table four points behind Berkswell & Balsall, the early-season pacesetters.
James Weaver, who retired from first team rugby at the end of last season to take up a coaching position with the Blues, will make his first appearance of the campaign and will captain the side from number eight.
Bournville Blues | 15 Chris Crutchley; 14 Niall Demel, 13 Craig Manning, 12 Tyler Westwood, 11 Jack Mitchell; 10 Kristers Krupenciks, 9 Ollie Panther; 1 Kieran McGuire, 2 Conor Thorneycroft, 3 Sean Kimberley, 4 Ollie Morris, 5 Ben Godley, 6 Piers Skeels-Caldwell, 7 Myles Hibbs, 8 James Weaver (C).
Replacements | 16 Jake Whitmarsh, 17 Johnson Otuonye, 18 George Bann.
