Neil McRoberts sets Portsmouth task of gaining momentum at lowly Effingham & Leatherhead - University of Portsmouth players to reunite

The home side are bottom of the league with just one win from 11 games.

Senior coach Neil McRoberts will preach caution, however, as their hosts ran fourth-placed Basingstoke to within five points in their last game.

Portsmouth gave their confidence a boost with a 12-3 win against Andover on their return from the mid-season break.

‘We had a comfortable win against Effingham early in the season but we know that they will be a different proposition at home,’ said McRoberts.

‘Recent years have shown them to be a lot stronger in the second half of the season.

‘They have been written off before but come back with some surprising results.

‘We have to make sure that we are not on the end of another one.

‘Although the first half of our season was disappointing, we have not become a bad side overnight.

‘Over the break, we looked at a few issues and put some different processes in place.

‘We need to reproduce the physicality shown against Andover and add to it our playing ability.’

Portsmouth had Matt Simmons and Matt Farnes sent off against Andover.

The former is suspended, but Farnes' red card was deemed sufficient punishment so he can play.

Exciting young winger Connor Charlton, a product of the colts, replaces Simmons, who is set to miss a few games

In the second row Dan Fleming, who made a terrific debut last game, is unavailable.

Louis Bristow is drafted in for his first game of the season.

Also in London Three South West, struggling Gosport & Fareham face a daunting visit to league leaders Reeds Weybridge.

n Portsmouth Vets are hosting a University of Portsmouth Old Boys side at Rugby Camp (2pm).

Former Portsmouth players Ian French and Christian Goldsmith will be among the notables taking part.

Many ex-University of Portsmouth RFC players are reuniting for this game.

The university team, led by Christian Goldsmith, will feature more than 20 players who return to Portsmouth from across the country for the fixture.

Portsmouth Vets captain Ben Di Marco said: ‘This is a really interesting fixture for us with many of the opposition having played for the club at some point during their academic studies in Portsmouth.

‘We expect to have as much fun after the game as we do during the match.’

The game will also act as a fitting send off for club stalwart Jonah Jones as he will shortly embark on his new role as East Wales regional rugby development officer.

On Sunday, Portsmouth Valkyries second team are playing a development game against Havant Sirens at Rugby Camp (2pm).