John Brodley praised the commitment of his Oxford Harlequins players ahead of Saturday’s re-arranged National 3 South West clash at home to Weston-super-Mare (2.30).

Director of rugby Brodley said: “It is great testament to the camaraderie in the squad that players are coming back to Oxford early from their winter break, with the likes of Tim Knapp returning from Somerset and Andy Boyle from Yorkshire.

“I am very pleased that two former Magdalen College School pupils and Leadbitter Academy Under 20 players Nick Gardner and Jonny Olley have not signed for clubs as students.

“They are available to play alongside academy under 20 captain Alan Purchase and full back Graham Crapper. It shows the system is working.”

Flanker Ryan Newman is out with a knee injury, but utility back Andy Noyce returns after a shoulder problem.

Henley Hawks, who host Clifton in National 2 South, will look to half backs Ben Jones and James Comben to shine against a side who have lost their last three matches after a great start.

Flanker Carl Campbell could make his return from injury as a replacement in Witney’s Southern Counties North trip to Milton Keynes.

SATURDAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Harlequins (v Weston-super-Mare, home): from Chadbone (capt), Needham, DeLange, Boyle, Pearson, Eckert, Purchase, Gardner, Olley, Knapp, Welburn, Sewell, Stewart, Cope, Nutt, H Jones, Crapper, Noyce.

Henley Hawks (v Clifton, home): from Smith, W Jones, Baggett, James, Davies, Comben, B Jones, Fuller, Dalgleish, Hadfield, Stradwick, Green, Hennings, Holloway, M Payne (capt), Gaunt, Haynes, Atkinson, Dupee, Gentilli, Penny.

Witney (v Milton Keynes, away): Mitchem, McRoberts, Strutt, J Lamb (capt), Monks, H Lamb, G Campbell, Serle, S Collins, Richens, Fowler, Bennett, Caffekey, Muller, Rowles. Reps: L Collins, C Campbell, Kerr.

Witney 2nd (v Maidenhead 3rd, home): from D Godfrey, Burke, Brocklebank, G Williams, S Copperwheat, Perry, Chatterton (capt), Hare, MacBurnie, Davies, Austin, Douglas, G Bibby, Phillips, Murray, Mills, Taafe, Gurney, Harper.