RUGBY UNION: Forde back for Quins (From Oxford Mail)

RUGBY UNION: Forde back for Quins

10:00am Friday 15th February 2013 in Sport

UTILITY forward Mike Forde returns to lowly Oxford Harlequins’ squad for tomorrow’s National 3 South West clash with Newton Abbot at North Hinksey Lane.

The New Zealander, who can play anywhere in the second or back row, missed last Saturday’s 13-7 defeat by Malvern due to a combination of neck and back injuries.

That loss to their relegation rivals left Quins 15 points from safety with just eight matches to play.

They still have a mathematical chance of avoiding the drop, but desperately need to beat Newton Abbot, who inflicted a 73-11 defeat on Quins back in October.

Flanker Tim Muller, prop Alan Richens and centre James Lamb all return to the starting line-up as Witney host Salisbury in South West 1 East.

Witney have won just six matches, but have picked up 12 bonus points.

Oxford Harlequins (v Newton Abbot, home): from Hilton, Halatokoua, Baird, Evans, H Whittington (capt), Borda, Cosins, Chadbone, Edney, Boulton, Clayton, Brown, Bennett, Calladine, Tupou, Davies, Rees, Farahani, Forde.

Witney (v Salisbury, home): Monks, Stratford, Clarke, J Lamb, L Collins, H Lamb, G Campbell, Calley, Harris, Richens, M Copperwheat, Rowles, Muller, C Campbell, Hicks (capt). Reps: Fuller, Haire, Douglas.

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