HE might be as far from a flying Fijian wing as you are likely to get, but coach James Croker is well aware of the impact George Leyland will have on Oakmeadians’ title push.

Second row Leyland is in line for his Oaks debut in Southern Counties South tomorrow, after signing from Bournemouth earlier in the week.

The veteran lock, who is expected to start alongside old pal Will Croker in an all 30-something Oaks second row at Tadley tomorrow (2.30pm), follows Fijians Malakai Magnus and Maiki ‘Bunny’ Burenivalu across the Meyrick Park welcome mat this season.

And Croker knows Leyland’s experience could be key as Oaks look to edge ever closer to a South West Two East return.

Croker told the Echo: “He’ll bring maturity and leadership. We are a young squad so having an extra leader and that little bit more guile is fantastic for us.

“I think George just wants to finish his rugby playing career playing with people he is good friends with, like Dave Stephens, Marcus Atkins and Will Croker. I think he wants a couple of seasons of enjoying himself – there’s nothing more to it I don’t think.”

Leyland was a mainstay of Lions’ South West Two East line-up in 2007, making 19 appearances as David Dunn’s side gained promotion to the South West top-flight for the first time in their history..

Croker added: “He enjoyed his time at Bournemouth, but he went back there after being unavailable for the first part of the season. It’s not a case of him not playing though – he’s a Bournemouth first-team player and a county second row, but like anyone who is up around 32 or 33 years old, I think he just wants to enjoy his last couple of seasons.”

Will Drummond returns to the Oaks wing for tomorrow’s trip to Tadley, but both Magnus and Burenivalu are missing through injury.

Croker said: “Malakai is out for another three weeks and Bunny has two weeks to go, so with Will out as well, we were missing a little bit of gas out wide. Having Will back this week, though, is a massive boost.”

Oaks: (from) Tryska, Drummond, Hare, Stephens, Tait, Landis, Hymers, M Stephenson, R Stephenson, Riley, Croker, Leyland, Stradwick, Flower, Hokianga, Hudson, Hicks, Harman.