CIRENCESTER face a pre-Christmas crunch tomorrow when they host Spartans in a top-table Gloucestershire Premier League encounter at their Whiteway ground.

The two sides met at the Gloucester outfit's Archdeacon Meadow earlier in the season, a game resulting in a 13-13 draw.

With Cirencester also drawing with Chosen Hill recently, Spartans now have a one-point lead at the top.

Spartans too have dropped a point this season and the two unbeaten records go on the line once again at the Whiteway.

Cirencester, though, will be hoping to post their promotion credentials with victory tomorrow, despite a few injury worries in the camp.

Prop Colin Wright is a big doubt, but fellow prop Tim Thompson and No 8 Tristan Chippendale are both expected to recover from slight muscle strains.

Cirencester remain confident, with centre Adam Seager and back row Chris Thorn playing some of their best rugby, and former Gloucester Colt Rupert Darch returning from university.

Cirencester: from D. Bayne, C. Cox, A. Seager, A. Ramsey, D. Jelfs, P. Weavin, I. Wilcock, N. Jaape, T. Chippendale, C. Thorn, M. Wood, A. Renton, D. Carter, R. Darch, T. Thompson, A. Sanderson, C. Wright, H. Church, D. Lloyd.

A large crowd is anticipated for the game, as the seconds are also at home to Spartans.

Both games are preceded by a veterans match kicking off at 12pm.

Former Gloucester favourite Nigel Scrivens will have a run-out, along with Cirencester stalwarts Robin Herbert and Brian 'Taz' Taylor.