MATT Williams has hailed George Messum’s contribution ahead of the forward’s last game in a Chinnor jersey at Barnes tomorrow.

The former Oxford University skipper is leaving the National League 2 South leaders after landing a new job in London.

Messum joined Chinnor in January and was integral to their fine end-of-season form, while he has helped them to a 100 per cent start in this year’s campaign.

Williams admits his side will miss the back row forward.

“He goes with a massive pat on his back and the door is open for him to come back at any opportunity,” said Chinnor’s director of rugby.

“I’m a big fan of George, not just as a player but as a person.”

After going top with an 83-7 win over Exmouth, Williams admits confidence is high, but is urging his side to keep that in check against fourth from bottom Barnes.

He added: “They are a very good side, particularly at home.

“The hardest job for me is to make the guys realise league position does not tell the full story.”

Steve Castle makes his debut at full back after hip and hamstring injuries.

Junior Fatialofa comes in at inside centre, captain Bevon Armitage switches to the outside, while Danny Barnes moves to the wing.

Prop Andy Darlington starts at tight-head, Ross Parkins returns at blind-side flanker, Gus Jones makes his debut at open-side, with Messum switching to No 8.

Henley Hawks head coach Pete Davies is calling on his side to build on last week’s victory over Bury St Edmunds.

Eighth-placed Hawks travel to Cinderford after what Davies described as an “outstanding” offensive performance.

The trick now is to keep the hammer down and tighten up in defence after conceding 177 points in six games.

He said: “We were pretty close to being as good as we are going to get in attack, but our problem is we are conceding too many points.

“We want to make strides and round five (defeat at Barnes) was bad for us, but we got ourselves back on track.”

Liam O’Neill switches to full back, while wingers Connor Hayhow and Xavier Andre return.

Elsewhere, Oxford University Greyhounds host Witney in the preliminary round of the Oxfordshire Cup tonight.

TOMORROW’S TEAMS

Chinnor (v Barnes, away): Castle, Hibberd, Armitage, Fatialofa, Barnes, Hopkin, Goodfellow, Price, Phipps, A Darlington, Hannay, Osazuwa, Parkins, Jones, Messum. Reps: Cano, Berry, Waddingham, Lamont, Goss.

Henley (v Cinderford, away): O’Neill, Andre, Butler, Gardner, Hayhow, Comben, Jackson, Cook, Emery, Abdel-Weir, Clements, Albon, Hall, Morrison, Hyde. Reps: Philpott, Chamnaoui, Davies, Davey, Stephenson-Wright.