ROYAL Wootton Bassett face their second relegation threatened club in the space of a week this afternoon when welcoming troubled Wimborne to Ballards Ash.

The Dorset outfit was thumped 7-52 at home to Oxford Harlequins last weekend and one win since November 9 has dropped the club into the South West One (East) relegation frame.

Couple the visitors’ poor recent form with the fact that Bassett coach Alan Low will welcome star youngsters Ethan Stock and Maikeli Volavola back into his XV, many would expect the promotion hopefuls to ease to a reasonably simple win.

But if Wimborne’s shock December triumph over Chippenham doesn’t act as a wake up call to complacency for Low’s players, then little will.

Low said: “Wimborne have been a bit up and down with their results recently, and we know they will be missing a few Dorset & Wilts players because of injury and personal commitments.

“I’m not entirely sure what to expect from Wimborne, and their loss to Oxford Harlequins at home last weekend took my interest.

“But they have turned Chippenham over in addition to a few other surprise results earlier in the season.

“So, we’ve got to be on our guard. For us, it’s an opportunity for the debutants from last week to try and build on their displays.

“We’ve got to look towards the Banbury fixture in two weeks’ time as well. Everyone is available, so this weekend is a chance for players to put their hand up for selection for that game.”

Atrocious conditions are expected once again this weekend as Storm Dennis is set to batter parts of the UK.

Only a week ago, Storm Ciara caused Bassett a host of handling errors in their comfortable win away to Trowbridge.

Low can only hope his squad adapt in a similar manner come 2.30pm this afternoon.

He added: “Although we’re at home, we expect the weather to be very similar.

“The boys did brilliantly last weekend from the outset, we led by more than 30 points at half time – and that was with a very strong wind.

“We defended well superbly too. Whenever we turned the ball over, we did well to deal with Trowbridge’s threats.”

Elsewhere this weekend, Swindon return to Southern Counties South action after a break.

They host Berkshire rivals Thatcham while Swindon College Old Boys are also at home as Yeovil visit.

Victory for Swindon could lift them into second above Frome, Swindon College Old Boys meanwhile can only be overtaken as they sit seven points behind seventh placed Combe Down.