NEW arrivals Russell Jones, Dan and Tom Rawlings will be making their Tenbury Rugby Club debuts in Saturday’s do-or-die match at relegation rivals Warley.

Skipper Pete Stevens is delighted to have the former Ludlow players in his squad and says Craig Parkes played in a second-team match for Tenbury last weekend.

Tenbury are second-bottom in Midlands Four West (North) - just three points adrift of Warley – and sealed a 20-13 home victory over their rivals in November.

Warley drew 24-24 at basement boys St Leonards last Saturday and another of Tenbury’s rivals, Greyhound, lost at home to Bromyard.

Stevens said: “It’s a massive game at Warley on Saturday – it’s our biggest game of the season.

“I am very happy – we will be able to put a very strong side and we have a strong and positive squad. Our three new signings will be playing for us.”

“We are very excited about the Warley game and we have a bus for players and supporters leaving Penlu Sports Centre at noon on Saturday.”

Jones and the Rawlings brothers had a run-out for Tenbury’s second team in a narrow 31-28 friendly defeat against Bridgnorth 2nd last weekend.

Ian Bowkett made a return from injury and former Ludlow head coach Dave Irish, a former Tenbury player, was watching from the sidelines at Palmer’s Meadow.

Stevens said: “I had a chat with Dave Irish and he wants to take a break from senior coaching and that’s fine.”

Dan and Tom Rawlings both scored tries for Tenbury, with Sam Thomas also scoring.

Stevens came on a replacement and charged through to score a try, while Will Gough kickiutgn the other points for the hosts.

Stevens said: “There was some brilliant work from Russell Jones and he looks like an excellent player. We already know how good the Rawlings brothers are. Andy Black and Will Morgan were rested.”

He added: “If we beat Warley and Greyhound lose, we could jump above them.

“We have a very exciting few weeks – with matches coming up against Warley, St Leonards and Bishops Castle.”