SOMERSET RUGBY Cozens, Coster and Fry in starting XV

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Created on Friday, 17 May 2013 21:49

Last Updated on Saturday, 18 May 2013 08:14

Published on Thursday, 16 May 2013 21:49

Somerset make a number of changes to their winning line-up – one enforced – for today's mouth-watering Division 2 South county championship clash against the North Midlands at Bridgwater & Albion's College Way ground.

The winners will play in the County Championship Division 2 Final at Twickenham on May 26.

Somerset - skippered by Dings Crusaders captain Ed Hack - head the table after storming to a 30-11 victory over Devon at Tiverton last Saturday while the North Midlands beat Devon 50-34 at Stourbridge the Saturday before.

After an exciting start at Tiverton, Somerset will be without Dan Hawkes - ruled out by a suspected broken toe - so Hartpury College's Luke Cozens starts at fly-half.

The other changes are in the back row where Dan Fry and Scott Coster, both from newly-promoted Bristol club Old Redcliffians, come in to the XV.

Somerset chief Mark Hawkes said: "We've had some real tough selection decisions however we are very happy with those guys coming in and feel that the strength of the squad is a real factor in the way we are improving as a county rugby team."

Dings Crusaders hooker Adam Bellamy - who skippered Somerset last season - and Royal Navy back row forward Hugo Mitchell-Hegg, who made his Somerset debut last season against Kent at Aylesford last year, join the squad.

The winners of this game are likely to face Northumberland who need just a point from their game against Eastern Counties at Ainswick on Saturday to progress to the Twickenham final a week tomorrow, which kicks off at 9.30am!

Starting XV Ben Roberts (Clifton) M Watkins (Weston-super-Mare) Ali Taylor (Wellington) Rob Dempsey, James Oakley (both Dings Crusaders) Luke Cozens (Hartpury College) Ross Hickory (Bristol Harlequins) Matt Hudd (Dings Crusaders) Sam Williams (North Petherton) Elliot Booley (Richmond) Danny Hodge (Cross Keys) Ed Hack (Dings Crusaders, capt), Toots Vakalutukali (Taunton) Scott Coster, Dan Fry (both Old Redcliffians).

Ready on the bench Adam Bellamy, Mike Uren, Mitch Spencer (Dings Crusaders) Charlie Meddick (Moseley) Aaron Gibbs (North Petherton) Hugo Mitchell-Heggs (Royal Navy) Joe Hall (Old Redcliffians)

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