Kingstone Press Championship One Preview: South Wales Scorpions v Oxford

Neil Dallimore and Phil Carleton look set to return to action as South Wales Scorpions hunt a second win of the Kingstone Press Championship One season.

But Scorpions coach Mike Grady is without Chris Vitalini, who is away on international duty with Italy.

Grady said: “I’m looking forward to this week. The lads have trained hard and we’ve all got smiles on our faces.

“We’ve just got to give it a go. We’re at home, we’re looking for a performance and if we get that then you never know.

“If we perform, I don’t think we’ll be too far off. Our team spirit is great. Sometimes in adversity you stick together, and that’s been the case this year. I’m genuinely excited about this match.”

Ashley Bateman will make his 100th career appearance if selected for the Scorpions, while Karl Temata is back in contention for Oxford.

However, Oxford coach Tony Benson must cope without JJ Baird (personal commitments) while Alex Thompson (hamstring), Valu Bentley (knee) and Sean Morris (leg) are all doubtful.

Benson said: “We’re sitting just above them in the table and we’ve got a tough game on here. South Wales are obviously a team that can jump up and get anyone on their day.”