CRAIG Burrows believes Oxfordshire are a stronger outfit than last year despite losing several players to injury.

Oxon travel to Warwickshire tomorrow in their opening Pool 1 match of this year's County Championship Shield.

After missing out on the knockout stages by a point last year, Burrows has added new faces to his squad.

Oxford Harlequins trio Adam Neal, Fotu Latu and Kristian Borthwick come into the county set-up, as do Witney's Adam Copperwheat, David Hyde, Rich Haire and George Lewis.

Teenager George Grieve (Banbury), Ian Jeffreys (Wallingford) and Rory Gratwohl (Grove) are also involved.

But Banbury quartet Ed Phillips, Joe Mills, Sam Stoop and Matt Goode are set to miss the entire campaign through injury.

However, head coach Burrows believes he still has a competitive squad at his disposal.

He said: "I think we are potentially stronger than last year.

"We are hit by a few injuries, which is a shame, but they take their toll on bodies at this time of the year.

"Most of the squad were involved last year, but we have been committed to strengthening in a few areas as well."

Essex and Buckinghamshire are also in Oxon's pool.

Burrows added: "We have no idea who is going to be strong, but the first objective is to get out of the group."

Meanwhile, Chinnor name three colts in a 20-man squad to face Southend Saxons in their National League 2 South finale at Kingsey Road.

Cameron Hill, Josh Preston and Charlie Nicholls make the step up, with Matt Williams’ side still chasing sixth place in National League 2 South despite last week’s defeat at Redingensians.

They will achieve that if other results go their way and they record a bonus-point victory.

Director of rugby, Williams, said: “It is the last game of season, I set the guys the target of finishing sixth, and it is also nice to blood some youngsters in.”

Relegated Henley end their National League 1 campaign with the visit of Rosslyn Park.

Hawks will look to avenge a 62-12 defeat to the Richmond side on the first day of the season.

Julian Watkins starts in the second row in place of Charlie Davey, while Tom Haynes comes in at No 8.

In the backs, James Comben moves to fly half and full back Tom Allen plays his last game before retirement.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Oxfordshire (v Warwickshire, away): from Walsh, Eckert, Gratwohl, Chilvers, Nicholl (all Grove), Copperwheat, Hyde, Haire, Lewis, Monks (all Witney), Neal, Latu, Yeats, Robinson, Borthwick (all Ox Hquins), Spencer, Horwood (Bicester), Jeffreys (Wallingford), Grieve (Banbury).

Henley (v Rosslyn Park, home): Allen, Perry, O’Neill, Flynn, Randall, Comben, Taylor, West, Emery, Manning, Clements, Watkins, Hall, Wallis, Haynes. Reps: Moss, Langdon, Davey, Morrison, Davies.

Chinnor (v Southend Saxons, home): from Sodini, Phipps, Hopkins, Vandermolen, Burns, Tyas, Waddingham, Messum, Goodfellow, Jones, Hill, Fatialofa, Beer, Heath, Goss, Townsend, Preston, Oliver, Tibbatts, Nicholls.