Rugby: I'M NOT AFRAID TO AXE STARS - BEALE.

Byline: By BEN MOTTRAM

JOHN Beale has warned his star names that reputations count for nothing and to fear the axe as Moseley prepare for a make-or-break period.

High-flying Moseley saw their National Division Two title aspirations brought crashing down to earth when they suffered a shock defeat to Launceston before Christmas.

Director of rugby Beale remains philosophical about the result against the Cornishmen but is demanding his side refocus, with rivals Waterloo and Esher both due at Billesley Common in the coming weeks.

And Beale has vowed to ring the changes to keep players hungry.

"We were really unhappy with the Launceston performance," said Beale. "I hope it helped us to regain focus, but we will have no hesitation in freshening the team up now.

"Paul Cox has been one of our candidates for most improved player of the season but he was left out against Stourbridge. Dean Bick has also been a revelation but Adam Caves has come in for him.

"We needed to make a few changes - it keeps them all on their toes and sharpens everybody up. It doesn't matter who you are if you don't perform.

"We're entering a big six weeks at the end of which we will know a lot about where we will finish."

Moseley have also been busy recruiting to strengthen their bid for National Division One rugby by snapping up two loan players from Premiership giants Bristol.

Prop Dan Howick has joined after the anticipated arrival of four-times capped Argentinian tighthead prop, Martin Rospide, was held up by visa problems.

And centre Andy Reay, 23, has joined the club until the end of February.

"Andy is a real talent and has won nine Under-21 caps for England. He can play equally well at 12 or 13," said Beale.

"We had expected Rospide to arrive until it was discovered his visa means he can only play in the Premiership, but Howick has a good pedigree."

Despite the strengthening, Beale remains convinced the current crop at Billesley are good enough to make the step up in standard this year.

"We're confident it can be a special year for the club," he said. "We'll take it slowly though and continue to concentrate on performance, no matter how boring that sounds."

CAPTION(S):

CHANGES: John Beale