THE world's greatest sevens player stands between Selby RUFC and their continuing dreams of Twickenham tomorrow.

Veteran fly-half Waisale Serevi heads a star-studded Staines line-up which locks horns with Selby in the quarter-finals of the Powergen Intermediate Cup.

The Fijian, who won 38 test caps, plays for a southern side packed with talent and intent on winning a semi-final berth.

Serevi scored 21 points in The Swans' 51-24 victory over Gloucester side Spartans in the last round.

He will be joined by head coach, and former London Irish and England No 8, Chris Sheasby, in the team to meet the Sandhill Lane lads.

But, despite their lack of pedigree, Selby say they are not travelling south just to make up the numbers.

Club spokesman Stephen Ward said: "We have got a plan to try to deal with them.

"They like to catch at the line-out and drive forward and we'll be working to stop that.

"Certain of our players will take on certain roles and I think we have got a pretty decent side out."

Selby have already knocked out Caldy and South Leicester in the competition, both of whom play at a higher level.

But Staines, who play in London Two North, are a side studded with quality containing former Harlequin Chris White-Cooper, England Schools centre Chris Bishay and Scotland under-21 flanker Tom Carruthers in the line-up.

Sheasby, a regular No 8 for London Irish during the 2002/2003 season and a member of the side who won the Powergen Cup in 2002, picked up seven England caps in a career which also saw him turn out for Harlequins and Wasps.

He has targeted the Intermediate Cup as one of Staines' best trophy chances this campaign.

Director of rugby Bob Lawless said: "I think we'd be disappointed if we didn't win anything.

"We know things don't happen overnight and we've only had 18 games together as a side.

"But at the moment we're still in the Powergen Intermediate Cup, the Middlesex Cup and in line for a play-off in the league."

Selby are virtually back to full strength, with only full back Chris McDonald and utility forward Kevin Lowery unavailable.

Rich Topping retains his place at full back from the side which just pipped Bridlington 27-23 last time out.

In the backs, Toby Pemberton starts at stand off with Paul Scott moving to the wing.

In the forwards, first choice props Paul Gabel and skipper Andrew Pocklington start after both being out last week.

The second row combination of Ben Marshall and Jason Cicero, which was so effective against Bridlington, is retained. Jamie Pocklington returns to the back row at No 8 with Wright Phillips switching to flanker - Duncan Phillips takes the other flanker position.

On the bench, replacement prop Mark Tomlinson, who together with Ian Copperwheat played such an important part in the defeat of Bridlington, is joined by Paul Randell, Richard Nicholson and three-quarter replacement Andy Bennett.

This will be a tough test of Selby's Cup credentials, but with 200 fans expected to travel south to roar them on, Ward said the players would be giving everything.

"It's going to be tough, but we've got nothing to lose. It's 15 against 15 and we will be up for it."

Updated: 10:45 Friday, February 11, 2005