WILL Croker has drafted in breakdown specialist Ben Russell for Bournemouth's South West Premier trip to Cleve on Saturday.

The jackalling flanker is renowned for turning defence into attack with his spoiling skills.

Head coach Croker hopes Russell's abilities will help his side seal a seasonal double over Bristol-based Cleve, who are 12th in the standings.

Croker told the Daily Echo: “We have brought back Ben Russell this week because we didn't feel we were getting enough hands on opposition ball at the breakdown.

“We have been happy to soak up pressure and wait for the opposition to make mistakes, rather than going to get it.

“That is why Ben has come back into the team and we have also brought Lewis Nicholls into the squad.”

On the brink of his first-team debut, Nicholls has been performing well for the seconds in recent weeks.

Croker added: “Lewis played for us in pre-season and looked very sharp but then got a couple of injuries.

"But over the past few months, he has been one of the top performers for the second team, who are top of their league.

“We felt in terms of getting the right balance on our bench, it was a really good opportunity to introduce him.”