SEVEN players from local clubs have been chosen to represent Dorset & Wilts as they kick-off their RFU County Shield campaign against Middlesex tomorrow (3pm).
Southern Counties South champions Swanage & Wareham have four players involved - wing Charlie Rowberry, fly-half Charlie Parish, centre Matt Roberts and prop Nick Audley.
The quartet will all start at Trailfinders Sports Ground, the home of Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club.
Meanwhile, Wimborne trio Steve King, Tyler Adams and Rob Best are also in the squad, with King named in the starting line-up at number eight.
Dorset & Wilts are two-time winners of the County Shield having beaten Leicestershire and Surrey at Twickenham in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Team boss Matt Pallas said: “Both myself and head coach Don Parsons have been impressed with the effort from the lads in training but the hard work begins in earnest this weekend.
“We haven’t been drawn against Middlesex for a few years. However, one thing I am sure of is that they will be tough opponents and the side that adapts to county rugby first will have a big advantage."
A week tomorrow, Dorset entertain Essex at Trowbridge Rugby Club and the following weekend the Twin Counties play their final pool game against Hampshire at Bestwall, the home of Swanage & Wareham.
Squad: Audley (Swanage & Wareham), Esnouf (Salisbury), Williamson (Royal Wootton Bassett), Ranabaldo (Salisbury), Gilbert (Salisbury), Hogg (Royal Wootton Bassett), Thompson (Swindon), King (Wimborne), Tongue (Salisbury), Parish (Swanage & Wareham), Rowberry (Swanage & Wareham), Larcombe (Salisbury), Roberts (Swanage & Wareham), Scott (Salisbury), Lane (Sherborne), Padfield (Sherborne), Adams (Wimborne), Best (Wimborne), Ougan (Royal Wootton Bassett), King (Bradford on Avon), Theo Daniel (Salisbury), Nailago (Marlborough).
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