Oxfordshire coach John Brodley says he has strengthened his squad for tomorrow's semi-final clash with East Midlands at Bedford Athletic.

And his comments come after a run that has seen Oxon score 21 tries in three consecutive victories.

Confidence is understandably high as they bid for a Twickenham spot, but Brodley has told his players they are in for a fight.

"Selection was difficult and some good players are very disappointed," he said.

"But we were selecting from strength and this is the best squad we have put out this season.

"We must not be complacent. We must expect to play for the full 80 minutes and not prepare for a run-away victory.

"Semi-finals, in my experience, are always tight games and the side which makes the crucial decisions under pressure and the least mistakes win the game."

Brodley has recalled Chinnor's Rewi Tolich after injury to partner Oxford Harlequins' Andy Henley at centre, so Alex Wallace (Reading) drops to the bench.

Newbury duo Kenny Bingham and Martin Nutt will start on the wings, while Oxon's top try-scorer, Jamie Hiscock, has not even made the 22.

The pack is again an entirely Chinnor affair, so Quins duo Simon Chadbone and Paddy Soper are only replacements.

Brodley added: "The team are showing real passion for this championship and are desperate to be successful.

"So far we have achieved everything we have wanted because we are through to the semi-finals.

"I am confident that we can continue to fulfil our ambitions of getting back up into to the Shield.

"I know the squad will do absolutely everything to get there and the way we have won all our games gives me the confidence to believe we have the potential to reach the final.

"East Midlands will be tough opponents though. They too have won all their games and what makes it even more difficult is that they are a team we know very little about."

East Midlands beat Essex 39-22 in their final Pool 1 game to ensure qualification.

The leading club they selected players from was National 1 Coventry, whose flanker Brett McNamee scored a try against Essex.

Other sides to feature prominently include Kettering, Wellingborough and Rugby Lions, who had an almost identical record to Chinnor in winning Midlands 1 this season.

Oxfordshire (v East Midlands, away): (Chinnor unless stated) J Hewitt, Nutt (Newbury), Tolich, Henley (Ox Harlequins), Bingham (Newbury), Cathcart (Reading), A Cope (Ox Harlequins), Matthews, Immelman, Harris, Burrows (capt), Hutchins, Rixon, Brooks, Maxwell. Reps: Whelan, Chadbone (Ox Harlequins), Millburn, Soper (Ox Harlequins), Noyce (Ox Harlequins), Wallace (Reading), Buckley (Chinnor).