THE return of fly-half Adam Davies will be a big boost for Basingstoke RFC’s hopes ahead of their tough trip to Bury St Edmunds in National League Three London on Saturday.

Newly promoted ’Stoke have not been given an easy start to their campaign and had hoped to get a victory last weekend against Thurrock, but unfortunately the game was called off as the visitors got caught up in a traffic jam that caused the M25 to be closed at junction eight.

As last Saturday’s side did not get to play the coaching staff felt it was only fair that the same players were given an oppor-tunity to shine.

However, they are forced into one change in the starting line-up as fly-half Andy Barnes is suffering from a knee injury and so Adam Davies comes into the line-up.

Coach Will Croker said: “We felt it was only right that the guys who were due to play last week, got the chance this week.

“Adam (Davies) is the only change and he looks sharp and confident. He scored on average around 27 points a game for us last season, so he will be a big boost to the side.”

Looking ahead to the trip to Bury St Edmunds, who moved up to joint second in the table last weekend after their third win in four games, Croker said: “They were unbeaten coming up last season and have made a good start. They have not been beaten at home for a long time, but we will go there and believe we can get something out of the game.”

Another plus for the team ahead of the weekend was that Andy Hore and Ryan Wilkie were involved in London Irish A’s 17-17 draw against London Wasps on Monday night.

Hore played the first 58 minutes in the second row, while prop Wilkie came on for the final 15 minutes. Two other ’Stoke players, Toby Salmon and Jake Whitby, were also in the extended squad.

Talking about the link-up with London Irish, Croker said: “Having the London Irish Academy train at Basingstoke is putting our players in the shop window, which is great for us as a club.”