TOMORROW’S North Midlands Cup quarter-final at Whitchurch (ko 2pm) will serve as a welcome distraction to Malvern, according to director of rugby Dave Robinsas they recover from an 81-13 league defeat to Luton.

A young and injury-hit Malvern were demolished by the Bedfordshire side as they wracked up their third successive National Three Midlands defeat to further add to their relegation worries.

If Malvern beat Whitchurch, they would set up a semi-final date with Bournville at Spring Lane on April 3.

Captain Philip Rawle returns after two weeks out due to unavailability and James Martin (knee) also returns. Both Murphy brothers, Andy and Dominic, miss out through injury and are replaced by hooker Matt Humphries and loose head prop Jake Lock. David Hadkiss also returns to the backline.

Robins said: “Tomorrow’s match is a welcome distraction from the league.

“We’ve got to draw a line under last Saturday now and go out and play some good cup rugby.

“We’ve got a big test in front of us. But we have to put the Luton game behind us now.”

Speaking on the thrashing by Luton, Robins added: “It was an absolutely shattering result.

“We had a backline of youngsters against semi-professionals who were experienced.

“Luton were a quality set of players and we were totally outplayed. The result broke an awful lot of hearts but not spirits.

“These things happen. We were totally outgunned.”

First-team squad v Whitchurch (away-ko 2pm)-meet at Spring Lane at 10.15am, Ketch Hotel, Worcester at 10.30am, number one dress code, from: J Clark, M Humphreys, J Lock, G Taylor, M Williams, P Rawle (c), C Edwards, J Martin, D Hadkiss, A Dixon, J Southall, W Farris, D Reagan, T Hupfield, R Fleming, K Harvey, T Morgan, J Thomas, J Williams, S Watson.

Second XV v Gordon League (home-ko 2pm)-meet at Spring Lane at 12.45pm, from: A Almond, L Moloney, J Ling, S Smith, C Smith, G Fraser (c), L Roleston, A Ruddock, R Hollyman, M Cock, G Edgar, L Thomas, B Ash, C Williams, G Wills, A Jones, B Merrick, C Diamond, D Beggs, D Allen.

Third XV v Tewkesbury (home-ko 2pm)-meet at Spring Lane at 12.45pm, from: M Prosser, T Wolke (c), D Wolfe, G Marshall, I Hill, J Smith, P Sharp, T Jones, B Sharrett, TBA, J Harrison, R Francis, B Pullen. Other players TBA.