Banbury open their Midlands 1 league campaign at home to Barkers Butts tomorrow without big summer signing Derwyn Jones.

The big Welshman will be unable to make his Banbury debut as Beziers, the French side he played for last season, didn't provide the necessary release papers in time.

Also missing from the forwards are Richard Mackie, who has retired, and strong-tackling flanker Michael Styles, who has moved to Sutton Coldfield.

Dave Phipps comes into the second row, while Japanese flanker Takashi Ono makes his league debut as Banbury look to avenge their 55-3 defeat at the hands of the Coventry-based side last season.

In the backs, Richard Lee returns at fly half after spells at Oxford and Reading, with Simon Purnell (full back) and Stuart Viggers (wing) coming in after missing much of the last two seasons through injury. Tony Hurst will lead the side from scrum half. Richard Brookes, John Maloney and Gareth Jones are added to Oxford Harlequins' squad for their Southern Counties North game at Grove.

Gosford All Blacks, who begin the new season with a home fixture against Supermarine, have Andy Woods as their new captain.