DORCHESTER’S Gladiators will field a strong squad against Salisbury Fourths in their Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts Three South clash at Coburg Road. 

Both teams lie third and eight in the table respectively.  Following the disappointment of a cancelled fixture last weekend, Tony O’Connell’s band of warriors will look to put in a huge performance to claim the full five points. 

The Gladiators fell victim to a combination of unavailability and injury last Saturday and will be keen to put their league ambitions back on track. 

Regulars Liam Stocke and Pat Nelson return to the front row, with the experience of both John Elliott and Iain Adshead in the second row. Other regular players for the team will be keen to get back on the pitch and take the game to Salisbury. 

Mark Cope, Mark Egan and Cian Evans all play, as does American football convert Jamie Lamb-Foster at full-back. 

Rich Bament makes a welcome appearance at fly-half and Nick Lorimer will take up his familiar position in the back row.  

With many players across all teams making the most of the rest and to recover from injury, there will no doubt be keen support from the whole senior squad to cheer the side on. The club will also be showing the England versus New Zealand and Wales against Australia games on the big screen after the Gladiators’ game (1pm). 

On Sunday, the club will lay a wreath in the Remembrance ceremony at the cenotaph in Dorchester led by club president Bob Andrews. A number of the Dorchester’s junior section will join the parade on this unique occasion.