ROYAL Wootton Bassett head coach Alan Low is anticipating a gruelling challenge as they battle the elements and injuries as they travel to Banbury.

With the country in the wake of a battering from storm Angus, Low is expecting conditions to be difficult under foot and will be looking to his forwards to establish control in the South West One East contest.

Bassett were buoyed last Saturday as they returned from a weekend off to claim their first win in three league games.

Despite having only won once at home all season, Low has been impressed by this weekend’s hosts and will not be taking them lightly.

“They have had some strong results at home, they put sides under a lot of pressure,” he said.

“Looking at the weather forecast, it’s going to be quite a tight, close game. We know already that we have got quite a few unavailable and that is going to show a little bit of the character of the squad.

“It is an opportunity for a few of the lads to step up and have a taste of South West One as well.”

Low will take a patched-up side to Oxfordshire having picked up a few knocks in their 41-15 win over Windsor.

Elye Darragh looks set for a long spell on the sidelines having damaged knee ligaments, while Jon Clarke was another casualty.

However, it has given the younger players at the club the chance to step up, with Jack Daynes handed his debut last weekend and Low is keen for them to stake a claim for a regular spot in the team.

“They have bounced back last weekend and it has shown where we can be, which is good,” he said.

“We have picked up a couple of injuries at the weekend, so things are looking tight going into this weekend but it is one of those things.

“Darragh was having a superb game for us and is one who has been an ever-present for us in the centre so we’re just waiting for him to see a consultant to ascertain how bad the damage is to his knee and see where we are.

“We lost Jon Clarke at the weekend but had Ashley Stephens back in the fold and Jack Daynes made his first-team debut as well, which is excellent.

“He was a mini and junior back in the day and he has come through and having gone off to Australia, he has come back as a 19-year-old.

“You expect it to happen but I am a bit gutted about it to be honest.”

Elsewhere in the division, Swindon travel to Windsor.