Defending champions Worcestershire & Herefordshire will need to beat Greater Birmingham in their final group match at Stourbridge on Wednesday February 20 (8pm) if they are to have any chance of reaching next month’s final.
W&H, who are seeking a fourth successive title, began their title defence with a narrow defeat against Shropshire at Shrewsbury two weeks ago.
Shropshire bounced back from a heavier defeat by Greater Birmingham in the championship opener at Bournville last month which leaves all three sides still in contention for a place in the final at Telford Hornets on March 13 (8pm).
W&H have reshuffled their side and have included three debutants in their starting XV with two more on the bench.
Old Halesonians hooker Brad Cogzell, Bromsgrove’s experienced number eight Drew Harper and Old Halesonians centre Carl Robinson are the newcomers among the starters with Bobby Green and Michael McPherson of Bromsgrove as replacements.
The Three Counties Championship is contested annually by the three Domestic Unions which make up North Midlands RFU and provides county representative rugby for players outside the National Leagues.
Worcestershire & Herefordshire
15 Andy Holloway (Old Halesonians); 14 Joel Keenan (Old Halesonians), 13 Ed Gough (Alcester), 12 Carl Robinson (Old Halesonians), 11 Arthur Morgan (Kidderminster Carolians); 10 Freddie Morgan (Kidderminster Carolians), 9 Chris Pinner (Kidderminster Carolians); 1 Cam Simpson (Bromsgrove), 2 Brad Cogzell (Old Halesonians), 3 Oli Dunkley (Bromsgrove), 4 Russ Brown (Droitwich), 5 Ellis Hill (Bredon Star), 6 Callum Bradbury (Old Halesonians), 7 Max Macfarlane (Upton-upon-Severn – captain), 8 Drew Harper (Bromsgrove)
Replacements: 16 Alex Antonelli (Bredon Star), 17 Matt Young (Old Halesonians), 18 Bobby Green (Bromsgrove), 19 Jay Martin (Bromsgrove) , 20 Michael McPherson (Bromsgrove), 21 David Oliver (Pershore), Bryn Williams (Bromsgrove).