LAUNCESTON welcome back Mitch Hawken and Ben Bryant to the starting XV for tomorrow’s home clash with Chew Valley at Polson Bridge (2.30pm).

The two were due to miss last weekend’s postponed trip to Barnstaple due to injury and university respectively, but return for their final home outing before Christmas.

Launceston have dropped to fifth following defeats to Sidmouth and St Austell in their last three games, but start as firm favourites against a Chew side that only recorded their first victory of the season last weekend against Sidmouth.

The All Blacks are without four key players as prop Charlie Short joins skipper Tom Sandercock, Lloyd Duke and Jose Luis Juarez on the sidelines, the latter three who are also unlikely to make it for next weekend’s trip to leaders Exmouth.

However, considering Launceston’s recent wobble, they can ill-afford to take their eye off the ball against their Somerset visitors who finished third last year.

That said, the Cornishmen won 53-21 at Lobbingtons back in September, and if they rectify their recent errors then five points should be on the cards.

Launceston Castles’ home clash with Camborne School of Mines won’t go ahead as the visitors have conceded, meaning Launceston move on to a perfect 50 points from ten games.

The ladies return to action for the first time since November 10 when they beat Hornets 29-5 for their trip to Yeovil in Women’s NC 1 South West (West) (2.30pm).

The two clubs have yet to meet with Launceston working their way up the divisions in recent seasons, however the Cornish outfit will start as strong favourites.

They sit second in the table with three wins and a defeat to their name, while the hosts are second bottom in the seven-team division with two victories and as many losses.

LAUNCESTON: Ben Bryant, Zerran Hammond, Billy Martin, Cam Fogden, Ollie Bebbington, James Tucker, George Hillson; Mitch Hawken, Levent Bulut, Alex Bartlett, Dan Goldsmith, Leion Cole, Tom Bottoms, Pete Bebbington, Brandon Rowley (capt). Replacements: Seb Cox, Dom Ellery, Dan Pearce.

LAUNCESTON LADIES: Chloe Samways, Jess Bartlett, Meg Tucker, Abby Smith, Rachel Hicks, Holly Williams, Amy Warman; Mel Ruby, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Meg Arnold, Vicki Doidge, Jess Ninnis, Caitlin Hancock, Briony Eddy. Replacements: Libbie Cole, Abby Matthews, Gemma Old, J Harrison, Ann-Marie Risdon, Madi Vine.