DORKING'S director of rugby, Richie Andrews, says the club's players have a chance to shine in the Surrey Cup final tonight (Tuesday).
The Red & Whites take on London Irish Wild Geese in the final of the competition at Esher Rugby Club, just four days before Dorking's pivotal promotion play-off clash against Exmouth down in Devon.
As such, the club's A XV are to contest the final this evening, with Andrews admitting that Dorking do not want to risk injuries to their senior players ahead of the weekend.
But he said Dorking would still be looking to try and win the competition, adding that those that do play have the added incentive of trying to force their way into the reckoning for Saturday's match.
He said: "Playing four days before the play-off, I don't think it is really an option for us to play the full first team as we don't want to risk injury to the senior players.
"But it is a chance for those playing to put their hands up to be considered for selection on Saturday and I won't pick the team until the last game has been played and we know who is available."
Andrews admitted that the timing of the cup final was not ideal for his side, but he said the problem had been the same for a couple of years.
"You go straight from the season with Dorking into the county rugby and if the final was played a couple of weeks later, it would impact on Surrey," he said.
"It was really a case of let's get on with it and we have faith in the squad as a whole.
"Many of the A team have played first team rugby before and there is no reason why they can't give London Irish Wild Geese a good game."
Andrews added that he, coach Rowly Williams and A XV coach Andy Smith would form the coaching team for the final.
The Red & Whites take on London Irish Wild Geese in the final of the competition at Esher Rugby Club, just four days before Dorking's pivotal promotion play-off clash against Exmouth down in Devon.
As such, the club's A XV are to contest the final this evening, with Andrews admitting that Dorking do not want to risk injuries to their senior players ahead of the weekend.
But he said Dorking would still be looking to try and win the competition, adding that those that do play have the added incentive of trying to force their way into the reckoning for Saturday's match.
He said: "Playing four days before the play-off, I don't think it is really an option for us to play the full first team as we don't want to risk injury to the senior players.
"But it is a chance for those playing to put their hands up to be considered for selection on Saturday and I won't pick the team until the last game has been played and we know who is available."
Andrews admitted that the timing of the cup final was not ideal for his side, but he said the problem had been the same for a couple of years.
"You go straight from the season with Dorking into the county rugby and if the final was played a couple of weeks later, it would impact on Surrey," he said.
"It was really a case of let's get on with it and we have faith in the squad as a whole.
"Many of the A team have played first team rugby before and there is no reason why they can't give London Irish Wild Geese a good game."
Andrews added that he, coach Rowly Williams and A XV coach Andy Smith would form the coaching team for the final.
