SOUTHEND’S head coach Andy Holloway feels his side can upset the form book when they host league leaders Richmond at Warners Bridge tomorrow.

Richmond have lost just two of their 15 games so far this season while the eighth placed Seasiders have lost three of their last four outings.

But Holloway is still confident of springing a surprise.

“Richmond are a very good side but they’re not invincible,” said Holloway.

“They’ve lost a game this season and drew with Lydney last weekend so if we play well then I really feel like we have a chance of beating them.”

However, for that to happen Holloway knows his team will need to improve their defending.

The Seasiders have conceded 115 points in their last two games.

And they cannot afford to give cheap scores away against the leaders.

“I think what we do without the ball will determine how successful we are in the game,” said Holloway.

“We have to defend well because if we don’t then Richmond will definitely be taking advantage.”

As they bid to record an unexpected win, Southend will also be boosted by the return of a trio of influential players.

Scrum half Sam Arnott is back in the team after serving a three week suspension following his red card in the 30-11 defeat to Clifton last month.

Joe Van Der Molen will also return at number eight after recovering from an ankle injury while Sid Hoult is available again at fly-half.

And that has delighted Holloway.

“It’s given everyone a boost that those three will be back tomorrow,” said Holloway.

“That’s with no disrespect to the players they’re replacing but all three are important players to us.

“Sam has a lot of experience now despite still being young and Joe was our player of the year last season so he’s obviously an important player and Sid has been a key player for five or six years now.”

Eighteen-year-old fly half Bradley Burr will again start for the Seasiders and centre Tom Ashton has been included in the squad after being snapped up from London One North Rochford Hundred.

“Tom’s a good player and he wants to see if he can hack it at a higher level so it’s a great opportunity for him,” added Holloway.