Prop returns for Stourbridge Saxons

Prop Andi Lawrence could make a surprise return for Stourbridge Saxons when they head to Cornwall for their National One match at Launceston this weekend.

The powerful tighthead left Stourton Park in the summer to play in France, but has decided to return to the Black Country and bolster Neil Mitchell's side as they push for a top five finish.

The Saxons have lost their opening two games of 2011, a 30-15 defeat at home to Wharfedale the latest setback, a game that saw prop Will Davis appear to have a good try chalked off by the referee.

Mitchell admits it's decisions like those that can knock the confidence of players.

He said: "Tim Pickard had a try disallowed at their place and it was the same referee up there. There is so little in these games that decisions like that can really affect the players.

"It can often turn into a confidence thing and we had three or four further opportunities to score a try when we were on their line but failed to take them.

"There were also times when we had three line-outs in the green zone but failed to take advantage.

"We have to be more clinical in those areas."

Centre Tom Jarvis was one of the try scorers on Saturday despite suffering from flu and it's hoped he will be back to full strength.

Charlie Hayter should be back in contention after concussion ruled him out at the weekend.

But the Saxons will be without a number of key players, as winger Matt Williams is out with a fractured elbow and fly-half Cameron Brown struggling with a knee injury.

However, the arrival of Lawrence is a big plus for the Saxons, his strength can only help shore up the scrum.

He said: "The one thing we lack is sheer physicality and these days the scrum is such a vital part of the game.

"We are probably giving away a man in weight advantage in the forwards."

The Saxons came from behind to win a nail-biting match with Launceston 17-10 back in October, James Freeman and Hayter scoring the tries in the second-half.