Tom Richardson back for Stourbridge

Stourbridge scrum-half Tom Richardson is ready to swap Argentina for the Black Country in time for the game against Blaydon.

The Stourbridge Saxons favourite missed his side's pre-season preparations due to a summer trip to South America with Cheltenham College, where he teaches.

And that has meant Worcester Warriors academy pair Louis Silver and Ollie Frost battling for the number nine shirt with director of rugby Neil Mitchell handing each of them a start in Stourbridge's opening two games.

Now Richardson is back and with a few training sessions under his belt, he is ready to make the scrum-half position his own tomorrow.

"Tom is champing at the bit and can't wait for his chance," Mitchell explained."He brings a lot to this level and he is a huge favourite with the supporters at Stourton Park.

"After missing pre-season he has returned to find severe competition in his position, something that he has not had for a couple of years. But, knowing Tom, he will thrive on that – he will not like being second best."

Richardson's inclusion in the squad to face National One opposition Blaydon may not be the only change from the side beaten 45-32 at Coventry at the weekend.

Worcester centre Andy Short and back row Matt Kvesic are training with England's under-20s so there will be a chance for others to stake their place in the side.

"We always knew it was going to take time for the team to gel,"Mitchell added.

"But we came strong at the end of the Coventry game and there were some good performances. We need to start establishing ourselves and the young players we have in the side need to mature."

The Saxons ran in five tries in their Midlands derby at Coventry including a 70-metre dash upfield by winger Simon Frewin on his return to his former club.

Skipper Ben Hughes and his second row partner Will Betts also crossed together with Charlie Hayter and Charlie Fellows.

Meanwhile, Dudley Kingswinford lock horns with leaders Sutton Coldfield on Saturday with both sides boasting 100 per cent starts to the season.

The Heathbrook team notched up their second Midlands One (West) win of the campaign at the weekend when they dismantled Stratford 46-22.

James Jefferson, Matt Groves, Simon?Fletcher, Gareth Bown, Tom Weaver, Jak Davis and Luke Greenwood shared the tries with Bown adding a penalty and four conversions.

In the same league, Walsall welcome newly-promoted Lichfield in one of the games of the day at Delves Road.