MALVERN are “massive underdogs” ahead of their biggest game of the season according to director of rugby Dave Robins as they welcome second-placed Hinckley tomorrow (ko 3pm).

The Spring Lane side’s survival hopes in National Three Midlands hang in the balance and now they face a nail-biting mini-season of two games to avoid the drop.

Robins conceded that whatever the result from tomorrow’s clash, Malvern’s survival bid will go down to their final game at home to Luctonians on April 17.

He added the free weekend last week may have helped his injury-hit squad recharge their batteries after they recorded a much-needed victory at Hereford.

Kieron Harvey replaces Adam Dixon (unavailable) at fly-half for his first start of the campaign against Hinckley.

Open-side flanker Christian Edwards starts and David Hadkiss returns to the bench.

An ex-players’ reunion lunch will take place from noon tomorrow.

Robins said: “Without a doubt tomorrow is the biggest game of our season.

“Hinckley gave us a beating in the first game of the season and they’ve not been out of the top-three since. They have it all to play for too as they are hoping for a play-off place.

“The game has the makings of an absolute cracker. We do have home advantage but on paper we are massive underdogs.

“It’s going to go right down to the last day now whatever happens tomorrow. This has been a long, long hard season.”

The home North Midlands Cup semi-final with Bournville will take place on Saturday, April 24 (ko 2.30pm).

First-team squad v Hinckley (home-ko 3pm)-meet at Spring Lane at 1.15pm, from: D Murphy, A Murphy, J Clark, G Taylor, M Williams, P Rawle (c), C Edwards, M Humphreys, T Longley, K Harvey, S Daws, R Fleming, D Reagan, G Wills, W Farris, D Hadkiss, O Kitching, D Wood.

Second XV v Luctonians II (home-ko 3pm)-meet at Spring Lane at 1.30pm, from: A Jones, L Moloney, TBA, D Wolfe, J Longley, G Fraser, S Clark, A Ruddock, M Cock, N Miller, G Edgar, J Bennett, L Thomas, TBA, J Harrison.