HEAD coach Will Croker said returning back-row forward Hamish Renwick would give Bournemouth plenty of selection options this season.

The breakdown specialist can play across the back of the scrum – from six to eight – having completed his rugby education at talent factory Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.

Renwick came through the Chapel Gate ranks before continuing his progress at Hartpury.

He played for their successful midweek side, as well as doubling up with Bristol outfit Clifton in National Two South.

And Croker insisted Renwick, who is available again after being ruled out of the South West Premier opener at Old Patesians due to work commitments, was the sort of player his squad needed to keep everyone on their toes.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Barnstaple (3pm), Croker said: “Hamish is a wonderful acquisition for us.

“He is a really talented boy. He is very good over the ball in terms of turnovers, has a really high skill set and is a really good communicator. He is versatile enough to play across the back row, so it is going to be an exciting season seeing where he links up with everybody.”

Croker is undecided on Renwick’s best position but he will start at number-eight against Barnstaple.

Lions’ director of rugby added: “Hamish played all his age group rugby at Bournemouth and went on to play south west rugby. Many felt he was unlucky not to push on from that and go a bit further.

“We are delighted to have him back. He is a proper Bournemouth boy – he really loves the club and is prepared to go that extra mile for his team-mates.”

Full-back Karim Lynch is out of the Barnstaple match having suffered a back spasm prior to the win at Old Pats.

Prop Joe Tarrant, forced off with a partial tear of his medial collateral ligament in that game, has been declared fit.

Joe Rees is unavailable so Grant Hancox takes over captaincy duties, while Sam Hardcastle has recovered from an elbow issue.

Lions chiefs are hopeful of attracting a crowd of more than 1,000 for their first home league game of the campaign.

With Cherries on an international break, season ticket holders can take in the action at Chapel Gate for just £1.

Previewing the fixture, Croker added: “Barnstaple are always a very difficult side. They were unlucky to come down from National Two South after getting dragged into trouble at the end of last season.

“There are six Devon teams in the league this season so this will be one of their longest trips. Hopefully, we can get stuck into them early and carry on where we left off on Saturday.”

Lions: Jeffes, Higgins, Hancox, Chislett, Stewart, Pope, Hardcastle, Davies, Manning, Tarrant, Roberts, Hennings, Russell, Flett, Renwick. Replacements: Connolly, Firetto, P Roberts.