ALAN Low knows his Bassett side are in for a tough afternoon when they travel to Salisbury in the Dorset and Wilts Cup semi-final.

Royal Wootton Bassett have had a mixed start to their season in the Southern Counties North but have lost their last two games and Low will welcome a change in the cup.

Salisbury have also had mixed fortunes in the Southern Counties South league but already defeated Supermarine 62-0 last month.

Both Bassett and Salisbury also met in a pre-season friendly when this weekend’s hosts beat Bassett 28-12, so Low will be looking for some revenge as they aim to book a place in the final.

“Salisbury are going reasonably well and I think the defence will be quite key,” said Low.

“Looking at the availability I have, I think it is going to be a real 50-50 rugby match.

“At the beginning of the season you always aim to do well in the cup.

“We are going to give a few players the opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the first team.

“Sometimes someone who is looking for a place is a dangerous person.

“This will be a good gauge for me to see where we are as a club.”

Bassett have also announced that their under sevens, eights, nines and 10s have been chosen to act as a guard of honour for the forthcoming international between Tonga and the USA at Kingsholm on Saturday, November 15.

Some 40 players from those age groups are set to take to the turf at Gloucester ahead of the fixture which will see the two sides meet as part of their preparations for next year’s 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Meanwhile, former Bassett junior and Gloucester flyer Jonny May has been named in the England side to face New Zealand tomorrow.

The winger. from Chiseldon. will line-up in the back-line against the All Blacks to win his eighth Red Rose cap.