MALVERN Rugby club face the daunting task of opening their league programme tomorrow (Saturday) at last year's unbeaten Eastern division champions Dunstablians (3pm).
The injury-hit Malvern squad suffered a further blow this week when back row signing Dave Merlin, a physiotherapist, was forced to pull out when told by employers Worcester RFC that he had to work.
David Robins, Malvern's director of rugby, said: "This has stretched us, as Dave was specifically signed to compensate for the fact that two specialist number 8 forwards, Mark Gaubert and Paul Hart, have long-term injuries. We are fortunate that the ever-dependable and long-serving Andy Ridley has looked sharp pre-season."
On the positive side, there is a new look to the Malvern side, with debut league appearances for prop Sean Lancet, Andy Logan at hooker and the promising Richard Fleming at outside centre.
Robins said: "This is going to be the longest, hardest season we have faced, so it is likely that we will be digging deep into our squad as the year progresses."
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