Henley's hopes of avoiding the drop from National League Division 1 have been boosted by the signings of Oxford University forwards Simon Miall and Peter Nicholas.

Miall, the outstanding player for the Dark Blues this season at either lock or flanker, is not available to play for the Hawks until the end of February because of pressing academic matters.

However, Nicholas, who gained his second blue as hooker in December, makes his debut for Henley's Alliance side tomorrow when they travel to Devon to take on Plymouth Albion 2nd.

Although Henley's first team were frozen off against London Welsh last week, they seem certain to make changes for the Division 1 match at home to Coventry tomorrow (2).

Des Brett, this year's Cambridge University tight-head prop, is now available, allowing Lee Hall to continue as hooker. And there should be a debut for US Eagles lock Philippe Farner in place of Jon Pettemerides.

Centre Rick Van Zyl, who is now free to play again having finished his suspension, will strengthen the backs.A decision will be made before kick-off as to whether to play him at inside or outside centre. If he is preferred at inside, Matt Jones will move over to his preferred position of fly half with Barry Reeves reverting to the bench and Russell Osman continuing in the outside berth. If Van Zyl wears the No 13 shirt then Reeves will continue at stand-off.

Chinnor's increasing strength in depth is illustrated by the fact that veteran lock Gary Porter has been demoted to the 2nd XV tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Du Toit Serdyn and former Bicester lock James Borgnis team up in the second row for the South West 1 trip to Cheltenham, as Chinnor try to build on their notable win against Dings Crusaders last week.

Banbury travel to Stoke-on-Trent to face Longton in Midland 1.

The Bulls, who have still to win away this season, have had their chances boosted by the availability of scrum half Tony Hurst.

However, they will miss experienced No 8 Rob Cockerton, who has a heavy cold. Extra 1st skipper Mark Herlily takes over.

Player-coach Martin Hobley makes some positional changes in his backs, with Andy Noyce moving to centre and Ben Harrison filling the vacant full back position.

There is a key game in Southern Counties North where Witney host fellow promotion contenders Grove. Defeat for either team is likely to rule them out of the race for top spot.

Fly half Chris Penney is unavailable as leaders Oxford Harlequins entertain Milton Keynes at Horspath Road. Elio Recchia, Matt Maudsley, Neil Walker and Simon Stevenson come into contention

On the next door pitch, Oxford Harlequins 2nd face Grove 2nd in the third round of the David Charles Oxfordshire KO Cup.

Because of a backlog of fixtures, both clubs have agreed to field their second strings for this contest, which will see the winners going through to the quarter-finals.

Centre and leading points scorer Pat Coogan returns to the Bicester squad after injury for their Berks, Bucks and Oxon Division 1 game at Phoenix. Dylan Evans replaces the unavailable James Shouler at No 8.

Tomorrow's line-ups Henley (v Coventry, home): from Fabian, McNair, Rowland, Davies, Erinle, R Osman, Van Zyl, Reeves, M Jones, Ayres, Smye, Fuller, Brett, Hannon, Hall, Phillips, Pettemerides, Farner, Winterbottom, Atkinson, Venner (capt), Mortimore, Metcalfe.

Chinnor (v Cheltenham, away, meet 10.45): Cawston, D Cook, Davies, Oxley, Brooks, Kruger, Phillips, Matthews, Kelly, Wilkinson, Borgnis, Du Toit Serdyn, Brown, M Cook, Mattchet. Reps: Harris, Hennessy, Deeley.

Chinnor 2nd (v Staines 3rd, home, meet 1.30): Begley, Hook, Wright, Simpson, Clark, Westerman, Vaughan, Winpenny, Whelan, Jackson, Daly, Porter, Pearson, M Bailey, Tinegate. Reps: Hill, Gerhart, Marr, Dunse.

Chinnor 3rd (v Basingstoke 3rd, home, meet 1.30).

Banbury Bulls (v Longton, away, 2.30): B Harrison, Viggers, Noyce, Jackson, Cartmell, Gill, Hurst, Hobley, Brown, Wilkins, McNally, Chatterton, Cummings, Brooks (capt), Herlily. Reps: R Taylor, Mascall, Riddell.

Banbury Extra 1st (v Longton 2nd, away, 2.30): Ferguson, Hemspere, P Papenfus, Flemming, Lalanne, Briggs, Walker, Stilwell, Johns, Lawrence, Burbidge, R Harrison, Blackwell, Southam, Dixon.

Banbury Lions (v Gosford All Blacks, away, 2.30).

Oxford Harlequins (v Milton Keynes, home, meet Horspath Rd, 1) from: Simon Chadbone, DeLange, Silversides, Stevenson, Lawfull, Dow, Price, Moloney, Anderson, J Cope, Nye, A Cope, Maudsley, Recchia, Steve Chadbone, Hill, Swadling, Dobson, Walker.

Oxford Harlequins 2nd (v Grove 2, home meet, Horspath Rd, 12.30).

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Milton Keynes 2nd side, away, meet Horspath Rd, 12.30)

Oxford Harlequins 4th (v Milton Keynes 3rd, home, meet Horspath Rd, 1pm)

Bicester (v Phoenix, away, meet 12) from: K Smith, Ewins, N Evans, Williams, Malins, Buinimasi, Grace, D Evans, Kelly, Cassidy, M Nash, Maule, Leverton, Van Wyk, Ward, Brogan, Nightingale, Rushworth, P Coogan.