SCRUM half George Blakeway returns to the Malvern side for the tough fixture against ex-National League side Walsall, having recovered from the septic ankle injury which kept him out of last week's Cup match at Hereford.

Steve Taylor, unavailable last week, returns at blind side flanker in a totally changed back row. Alex Thomas and Dave Merlin are on work-related courses, so Anthony Garner comes in on the open side, whilst former captain Andy Ridley returns in the number eight position.

Dave Viles joins the walking wounded with a bout of tonsillitis, as does Richard Fleming, stricken with food poisoning. Rob Young starts on the wing, with Bo Kristoffersen switching to partner Gareth Richards in the centre, Dave Beech filling the other wing berth.

Director of Rugby David Robins said "It is unsettling to have to keep changing the back row combinations, but our players are amateurs and job constraints obviously come first. We go to Delves Road in the knowledge that there is a lot of experience from the senior leagues in the Walsall side, so we are looking for the type of performance that saw off Luctonians two weeks ago. It already appears that the majority of sides in this league are well-matched - Walsall have featured in some close fought games with only a few points difference being the outcome, so we must be prepared for another dour performance.

"Our front five, with young James Daniel fast establishing himself and hooker Andy Logan playing at the top of his form, is as good as any in this league. The platform they set up must be capitalised on and turned into points."

One new face in the Malvern squad is Ian 'Beano" White, on the first XV bench for the first time.