The pair also helped their side to Berks, Bucks & Oxfordshire glory as Under 16s, as well as guiding the Colts to the semi-finals of the National Cup two seasons ago.
Last term they were knocked out in the last 16 by eventual champions Rosslyn Park.
Prop Nwachuku is one of three named for the trip to the Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, summer signings Max Marshall and George Breese, who performed admirably in the opening National One game of the term at Sedgley Park, also set for action.
Army skipper Pete Austin and South West Under 20 selection Harry Bicknell – top try-scorer for the Development XV last season – are the two hookers.
Thomson returns from injury
Young duo Liam Elston, who came off the bench in the record-breaking 73-24 first-team victory at home to Dings Crusaders on Saturday, and Paddy Jackson are ready to go in the engine room, while there is also a welcome return to action for powerful enforcer Colin Thomson.
Preston – Colts skipper for the past two campaigns – is joined in the back row by former Cardiff Met ace Max Brown and another new recruit, Will Burrows.
Fresh from scoring on debut against Dings, Louis Pereira will hope to get plenty more minutes under his belt at scrum-half, while Harris Rutherford pulled the strings beautifully from No. 10 in the final pre-season warm-up game against Oxford Harlequins.
His fellow Scot Andrew Lamb is also capable of playing fly-half or full-back, while fit-again Rowan Grundy will be looking to make an impact in midfield.
Plenty of midfield options
Other centre options include Oli Rhoads – also capable of playing out wide – equally versatile former Mini Theo Pett-Ridge, recent Oratory School leaver Jake Jackson and rugby league convert Judd Greenhalgh.
A pair of first-team capped wings continue their return from injury in the form of Polish international Tomek Pozniak and South African youngster Luke Graham, while the pacey Sam Bowen has caught the eye in pre-season and completes the matchday 22.
Rams Development XV @ Bristol University
Forwards: Austin*, Bicknell*, Breese*, Brown, Burrows, Elston, P Jackson, Marshall*, Nwachuku*, Thomson, Preston
Backs: Bowen, Graham, Greenhalgh, Grundy, J Jackson, Lamb, Pereira, Pett-Ridge, Pozniak, Rhoads, Rutherford.
