Five players have been added to the Oxfordshire squad for Saturday’s County Championship Shield Pool 1 clash with Leicestershire at Hinckley.

Grove full back Nick Sevier and Chinnor centre Richard Williams, who is also head coach, come into the backs.

The other three are back-row forwards Jason Welburn (Oxford Harlequins), Tom Mowbray (Chinnor) and Ben Nicholl (Grove).

Matt Hutchings contines as captain.

Victory tomorrow will put Oxon in pole position to reach the semi-finals.

Centre Ali James and wing Jack Shaylor return for Henley Hawks’ final National 2 South match at home to Lydney.

James replaces Neil Baggett, while Shaylor, who has recovered from a virus, comes in for Jayde Cruickshank. Rowan Fuller starts at prop in place of Alex Penny.

Oxfordshire (v Leicestershire, away): from J Hewitt, B Hewitt, Stoop (all Chinnor), N Sevier (Grove), Clipsham (UWIC), Cathcart (Chinnor), R Williams (Chinnor), Burns (Wallingford), Pickett (Chinnor), Henk (Oxford Brookes), Winpenny (Chinnor), Copperwheat (Ampthill), Whelan (Chinnor), Eckert (Oxford Harlequins), Hutchings (capt), Black (both Chinnor), Newman, Knapp, Welburn (all Oxford Harlequins), McKeen (Oxford University), Mowbray (Chinnor), B Nicholl (Grove), Lea (Oxford Brookes).

Henley Hawks (v Lydney, home): Haynes, Shaylor, Wells, James, Davies, Comben, Gaunt (capt), Fuller, Dalgleish, Hadfield, Stradwick, Green, Hennings, Holloway, M Payne. Reps from: Matthews, Penny, T Payne, Thompson, Fulton, Baggett.

  • Oxford Cavaliers have decided to continue their Co-operative Rugby League Conference London & South League campaign after an emergency meeting.

Cavaliers had to give Swindon St George a walkover in their first match after they were unable to field a side.

But captain John Connaughton said they will “look to come back fighting” at home to Greenwich Admirals tomorrow.