An Eastleigh victory could be vital this weekend if they are to put in a challenge for the London 3 South-West title.

The club held pole position in the league for a short while – that has been taken by Andover – but are now third.

The situation could change when they head to the capital to take on a strong London Exiles, side who they defeated by a single point earlier in the season.

Eastleigh will be without prop Paul Taylor, who could be out for the rest of the season with a thumb injury, while flanker Tony Fudio who is still sidelined with a shoulder injury.

His brother, and captain, Paul Fudio said: “It will not be the end of the season if we were to lose, as the Exiles play Andover the week after. However, we can not underestimate the importance of the game.

“We are trying to get back the consistency that we had at the beginning of the season.

“We have had a chat about it and think we are struggling to impose our game plan and playing to the opposition strengths and want to change that.”

Leaders Andover face Old Tonbridgians, who have won seven but lost as many.

At the other end of the table, Hampshire sides take up four of the five bottom places.

Sandown & Shanklin are rock bottom having won just two games – ironically one of them was against Eastleigh, when they were top.

Ellingham & Ringwood are slipping back towards the Hampshire League, with Trojans just one place above them. The Es host Old Mid-Whitgiftian while Trojans, who lost by just a point to Sandown last time out, head across the Forest to play New Milton & District.

They are fifth from bottom but have a healthy gap between themselves and the relegation-threatened sides.