OLI Rhoads is in line for a maiden Rams appearance off the bench as the Berkshire men make four changes to their starting line-up for tomorrow’s National One homecoming against Dings Crusaders (3pm).

It has been a long four weeks since the hosts defeated Esher 31-3 under the Friday Night Lights at Old Bath Road, and they will look to carry the momentum forward when taking on the dangerous and free-flowing Bristolians.

The first of the starting swaps comes at loose-head prop, where Paddy Harris is restored to the XV to join hooker Morgan MacRae and the legendary James Baker in the front row.

Captain Robbie Stapley continues to skipper the side from the engine room, where he is joined by Dan Swain.

The second alteration in the pack sees a return on the open-side flank for Tom Vooght, Ben Atkins on the opposite side of the scrum with James McRae at No. 8.

Ollie Cole goes from the off at scrum-half, Fraser Honey making a 41st consecutive start outside him as Rowan Grundy again takes the No. 12 jersey.

With Solodrau Radianirova unavailable, Axel Kalling-Smith switches to outside centre following his magnificent man-of-the-match display on the wing against Esher, Polish international Tomek Pozniak slotting back into the side out wide as Zach Clow and full-back Andrew Lamb complete the line-up.

Ant Marris and Liam Bishop provide prop cover with the dynamic Mikey Duda also set to make an impact among the forwards.

Rhoads is the stand-out name among the substitutes as he gets set for a debut, the impressive youngster having caught the eye for the Development XV on a couple of occasions following his early-season move from neighbours Newbury.

Another young talent, scrum-half Ollie Hodgson, rounds out the squad while hooker Brad Clements, back row Harry Stone and centre Joe Pannese are travelling reserves.

Rams Team Vs. Dings Crusaders

(15-9, 1-8) Lamb, Clow, Kalling-Smith, Grundy, Pozniak, Honey, Cole; Harris, MacRae, Baker, Stapley ©, Swain, Atkins, Vooght, McRae

Replacements: Marris, Bishop, Duda, Rhoads, Hodgson

Travelling Reserves: Clements, Stone, Pannese

*RAMS’ captain Max Hayman has been handed a 10-match ban following a ruling by an RFU Disciplinary Panel after the National One game with Blackheath on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

The report of the hearing can be viewed here.

Rams will be making no further comment and look forward to welcoming Max back on the pitch next month.

To book tickets for tomorrow's game – and with a 20 per cent discount on alcoholic drinks between 12.30-2pm – click here