The second row, who made his National One while still a student, returned from a gap year at the start of the campaign and has continued to impress.
Fresher Paddy Jackson joins the skipper in the second row, the pair having combined well throughout the campaign so far.
Two summer signings start at prop with Max Marshall on the loose-head and former Scotland Under 20 George Breese on the other side of the front row, prolific try-scoring hooker Harry Bicknell sandwiched between.
Former Bristol Bear Aaron Tull is at No. 8, with fellow youngsters Phil Poppy and ex-Cardiff Met graduate Max Brown alongside him at the base of the scrum.
Hodgson and Lamb at half-back
Scrum-half Ollie Hodgson won his 20th National One cap off the bench in Saturday’s unfortunate 26-7 home reverse against Blackheath, while Andrew Lamb also has plenty of experience at Level Three.
He will look to pull the strings in the No. 10 jersey, while the powerful young pairing of Jake Jackson and Oli Rhoads repeat their midfield partnership which impressed at Army Under 23s earlier this month.
The seriously quick duo of Sam Bowen and Alex Mannhardt are the starting wings, with the versatile former Colt Theo Pett-Ridge rounding out the side at full-back.
Debutant Basil on the bench
Powerful teenage prop Obi Nwachuku is a two-time OBB Division One winner with the Colts and has done well on his first few starts in senior rugby, with another former Reading Uni graduate Archie Downing also set for the front row.
A debut is on the cards off the bench for second row Finn Basil, previously with Farnham and Henley Hawks, while extra forwards cover comes in the form of Olly Marsh – a try-scorer against Chinnor a fortnight ago – and Barney Thomas.
Louis Pereira has a National One try to his name this term and will be ready to take over from Hodgson, while the classy James Gilman covers fly-half and full-back.
Powerful dynamo Isaac Tokura rounds out the squad and is a tough prospect to stop.
Entry for tonight is free with gates open from 6.15pm. Food and drink will be on sale.
Development XV Vs. Royal Air Force
(15-9, 1-8) Pett-Ridge, Bowen, Rhoads, J Jackson, Mannhardt, Lamb, Hodgson; Marshall*, Bicknell*, Breese*, Elston ©, P Jackson, Poppy, Brown, Tull
Replacements: Nwachuku*, Downing*, Marsh, Basil, Thomas, Pereira, Tokura, Gilman
