LIONS chief David Dunn has implored his players to win big against Barking after admitting: “We have arrived at D-Day.”

Director of rugby Dunn believes Bournemouth must claim a bonus-point victory against the basement boys if they are to stand a chance of survival.

National Two South strugglers Barking visit Chapel Gate tomorrow (2.30pm) boasting just one league win and no successes on the road this term.

Lions, who have just three wins in their past 12 games, slipped into the relegation zone following defeat against nearest rivals Lydney last time out.

And Dunn made no attempt to play down the importance of his club's Barking clash as they desperately look to climb out of the bottom two.

He told the Daily Echo: “We have arrived now at what is D-Day. If we don't win tomorrow, we know we will be relegated because if we can't beat Barking on our own ground, we are not going to win the other three games.

“Although they will not be a pushover, Barking have only won once and have not won away from home all season.

“At the back of our minds, we know Lydney and Clifton, who could get dragged in, also play Barking during the run-in so our score has got to be better than their score against Barking. What is in our favour is that we are a try-scoring team.”

Lions, who also face Canterbury, Dings and Taunton in their remaining fixtures, have a game in hand on Lydney, who they trail by two points.

Dunn added: “This is a game we have to win and that is the challenge after the disappointment in the mud, wind and rain at Lydney.

“We have to discover our self-belief and get five points to give ourselves a fighting chance.”

Lions will be without unavailable duo Ben Stevenson and Tom Vaughan-Edwards, while Luke Andrews is injured. George Drake, Gavin Hart and James Bovett all come into the squad.

Lions: (from) Carrell, Burns, Wilford, Manning, Forrest, Hart, Firetto, Peart, Hughes, Hart, Booth, Hardcastle, Drake, Connolly, Stewart, Edwards, Robinson, Pollard, Veneroso, Fitch, Bovett.

  • In South West One East, Swanage & Wareham visit Marlow. Southern Counties South outfit Wimborne host Dorchester.