WELLINGTON will be without at least five first team regulars when they play at home to Kingsbridge in Western Counties West on Saturday (2.30), writes Barry Knott.

Among them is No8 Cam Venn, who snapped up a hat-trick of tries at Falmouth over the weekend and has been outstanding this season. The other missing players are George Hodgson, Danny Lee, Vinny Gordon and Ash Harney.

“Three of them are going skiing while the other two informed us a while ago that they would not be available,” said Wellington coach Alynn Chetland. “It’s a pity because the side is playing well and they are all key players. It is what it is and we’ve got to get on and deal with it.”

Wellington have greater strength in depth this season but making five enforced changes is far from ideal. Wellington are lying fourth in the table and need to beat Kingsbridge to stay in touch with the leaders.

They are 13 points behind Sidmouth who suffered their first loss of the season over the weekend - losing 23-21 at home to second-placed St Austell in a top of the table clash.

Wellington beat Kingsbridge 14-10 away in late September but the Devon side are showing good form and beat sixth-placed Wadebridge Camels 53-5 on Saturday.

“We won well at Falmouth (40-10) and were very impressive in the second half when we scored 22 unanswered points, showing far better fitness than the opposition,” added Chetland.