WILL Croker revealed he would be tapping into the knowledge of “rugby aficionado” Mike Haines ahead of Bournemouth’s battle with Exeter University.

Haines, who featured on the wing during Lions’ 27-14 victory at Drybrook on Saturday, played for the university outfit last season.

He scored a try during their 36-28 varsity victory over Bath in February in front of a crowd of 3,710 at Sandy Park.

And head coach Croker believes Haines’s knowledge could prove vital when the teams lock horns at Chapel Gate in South West Premier on Saturday (2.30pm).

He told the Daily Echo: “Mike is a real rugby aficionado. He has a very sharp rugby brain.

“The fact he is able to tell us about them in terms of how they play, who are their pivots and where they are going to look to attack from – we would be foolish not to have that conversation.

“It’s nice to have that information and he has been able to say to us about the areas where he thinks we could profit, as well as things to avoid.”

Lions top the pile with eight wins from as many league games this season.

Croker added: “We know every Saturday is going to be a big test. Exeter University are going to be a young side and they are going to throw the kitchen sink at us.

“On the hard, firm ground at the beginning of the year, they had an amazing start.

“But we have trust in our game plan and system sufficiently. The question now for the players comes from within with how badly they want that shirt.”