Triple Oxford Blue Chris Mahony is set to make his Chinnor debut in tomorrow’s National 3 South clash with Barking (3).

Mahony, 27, has been Oxford’s full back in the last three Varsity Matches and plays for Auckland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC).

He should add real cutting edge to their back line as they bid to avoid relegation.

Weather permitting, the Kingsey Road clash gives Chinnor the chance of a league double as Barking are the only team they have beaten – back in September. Bowers said: “We have been tracking Chris for probably two months now, and were keen to get things sorted out.

“We signed him before the Varsity Match, but he was away in the USA over Christmas with his girlfriend.

“He is a well-known and well-respected player in this country and New Zealand. I think he was only uncapped player in Auckland’s NPC side last year.

“We have talked to him about where he wants to play, but he has to fit into the team.”

Mahony signed for Henley Hawks after the 2007 Varsity Match, but injuries prevented him from playing.

He is the only addition to the Chinnor squad selected for last week’s postponed clash with Henley.

As for the prospects of play tomorrow, Bowers said: “Barking have got to travel for two to two and a half hours, so we said we would let them know by 10am.”

Full back Ralph Smith returns from a hand injury for Henley Hawks’ trip to Bridgwater & Albion.

Henley are likely to field the same pack as played in their 43-20 victory over Bridgwater at Dry Leas, but with Smith, Dave Birtwhistle, Angelo Flammia and Charlie Hobart boosting the backs.

Bridgwater will be buoyed by last week’s dramatic 30-28 victory at Rugby Lions in the EDF Energy National Trophy.

No 8 Anthony Jackson will make his first appearance of the season when Oxford Harlequins entertain Exmouth in South West 1.

The Radley College teacher and Oxford Blue has been unavailable due to school commitments.

Lock Cameron Gray returns after injury and flanker Matt Young after flu. Tim Lawson makes his debut on the wing.

Pat McKenna comes in at flanker and Angus Brettell on the wing as Wallingford visit Reading Abbey in South West 2 East.

Coach Chris Norrington said: “Our problem at the moment is that we have not been able to train because of the weather.

“We just want to pick up where we left off last year.”

Witney will look for revenge when they host Chipping Norton in a Southern Counties North derby.

Chippy won the corresponding clash 20-17 thanks to a late Adam Smith drop goal.

Chinnor (v Barking, home): from Winpenny, Whelan, Stock, Baker, Eckert, Cawston, Stennings, Jackman, Hutchings (capt), Neilson, M Williams, Jackson, Hastings, Rowley, Hewitt, Oxley, Powell, Seymour, Serrano, Mahony, Wallace, R Williams, Price.

Henley Hawks (v Bridgwater & Albion, away): from Smith, Birtwhistle, Flammia, Wells, Davies, Hobart, Fulton, Turner, Gaunt, Fuller, Tattersall, Hoosen-Owen, Millford-Scott, English, Green, Payne (capt), Dupee, Williams, Hennings.

Oxford Harlequins (v Exmouth, home, meet 1pm): from Chadbone (capt), Needham, DeLange, Pearson, Gray, Gerber, Young, Jackson, Cope, Forth, Lawson, Sevier, Lombard, Campbell, H Jones, Ferreira, McDowell, Sewell.

Wallingford (v Reading Abbey, away): Venners, Brettell, Collett, O Henderson, Sayce, Pooler, Viljoen, Blaszko (capt), Hill, Keable, Lewis, M Turner, McKenna, Holton, Jeffrey. Reps: S Henderson, Windsor.

Witney (v Chipping Norton, home): from Strutt, Gouldie, Monks, L Collins, Tustin, J Lamb, Bibby, G Campbell, Brocklebank, Serle, Groebblar, Richens, Fowler, Bennett, J Hicks (capt), Muller, C Campbell, Rowles.

Oxford Harlequins 2nd (v Wallingford 2nd, away, meet Southern Bypass, 12.30pm).