MINEHEAD Barbarians face a tough away match against Avon in Counties Two Somerset on Saturday, February 22.

Avon are lying third in the table while Minehead have slipped back to fifth after their 18-3 loss away to Imperial.

The Babas will again not be able to field a full-strength side. “It’s down to availability - it always is,” said Minehead’s head coach Mick Orton. “We included a couple of new 18 or 19 year olds against Imperial and they did very well. That can only been good for the future of the playing side of the club.

“We’ve been trying to improve the depth of the playing squad, which I think we have been doing.”

Minehead, who should be strengthened by the return of Will Hawker, could move up to third in the table if they beat Avon, but leaders Midsomer Norton and second-placed Clevedon are both in action and are likely to consolidate their positions.