COACH Craig White may have to dust off his boots with relegation-threatened Bournemouth forced to reschedule their crunch clash with Chard for Saturday (2pm).

Lions were instructed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to fulfil their fixture against the National Three South West whipping boys on the first available date following last weekend's postponement.

The Chapel Gate club, currently three points clear of the drop zone, appealed to have the match put back with at least five senior players unavailable due to prior commitments.

But the request fell on deaf ears with 37-year-old former captain White reregistering for the first XV as a precaution.

White told the Daily Echo: “I am little bit apprehensive but needs must. If I have to go on then so be it.

“I may have to dust off the cobwebs but the plan is for me to cover any emergencies – let's hope it doesn't happen.”

But despite the sudden selection headache, White insists Bournemouth have enough in reserve to gain a much-needed victory in their bid to avoid the relegation trapdoor.

He added: “We will have to draft in some colts and ask one or two lads to play out of position but to be honest, you have to expect these things.

“Yes, the guys make plans and the timing of the game is a bit of an inconvenience but we have enough players to field a strong team.

“Things do not always go in your favour but you just have to get on with it and I believe in the players we have stepping in.

“You can appeal these things but if that fails there is not much you can do about it. We should not be in a position where that defines whether or not we have a strong team.”

  • Former Lions junior Charlie Ewels could not prevent England under-20s from falling to defeat in their Six Nations opener.

England lost 21-15 to Wales at Parc Eirias under skip Ewels. The Bath academy second-row has been named in the side to face Italy tomorrow (5.55pm).