FACING the multi-million pound-backed leaders whose head coach is a World Cup winner, Malvern chairman Peter Woods concedes his side start as underdogs when they travel to Rugby Lions tomorrow (ko 3pm).

Financed by businessman and former British Lions player Michael Aland and with ex-England flanker Neil Back as head coach, Lions are five points clear at the top of National Three Midlands after winning each of their first seven games.

Now Malvern travel to Webb Ellis Road looking to claim the scalp of the title favourites after a disappointing 15-11 home defeat to Newport (Salop) in their previous game.

Despite admitting his side face a tough task tomorrow, Woods says Malvern will have to “raise their game” against their formidable opponents, who boast the highest points scorer in the history of sevens rugby, fly-half Ben Gollings, in their ranks. Woods said: “We definitely start as underdogs.

“But the guys seem to play better when we are the underdogs.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to test ourselves against a side that look destined for a higher level of rugby.

“The lads will need to raise their game. Rugby have six full-time players in their ranks and they are title favourites.

“We’re really looking forward to it. I’m expecting us to take a relatively good travelling support to Rugby to get behind the boys.

“We were disappointed with our performance against Newport. We need to show the same fighting spirit tomorrow that we showed against South Leicester the previous week.”

Places are available for supporters to travel to tomorrow’s clash on the Malvern team bus for £5.

Interested supporters should meet at Spring Lane at 11am or 11.15am from the Ketch Inn in Worcester.

Tomorrow’s Malvern teams.

First team v Rugby Lions (tomorrow, away – ko 3pm), travelling by bus, meet at Spring Lane at 11am and Ketch Inn, Worcester, at 11.15am, from: J Tsang, M Humphreys, D Wrightson, A Cannock, M Williams, O Marshall, C Edwards, C Griffiths, J Southall, A Dixon, J Bennett, R Watkins, I Mustow, R Fleming, T Longley (c), J Baker, S Daws, J Doorbar.

Development team: awaiting a home pool match (3pm), from: A Almond, M Prosser, W Downes, TBA, A Ruddock, D Hughes, S Clark, TBA, C Oliver, J Schofield, R Bedford, TBA, J Hillier, TBA, B Sharratt, D Irish, O Jones.