SKIPPER Conrad Burke is backing Brighton's stonewall defence to see them through their biggest League match in years.

The experienced Irishman will look to call the shots from outside half as Brighton protect their 100 per cent record against Three South East title rivals Cranbrook at Waterhall (2.15pm).

Brighton's line has been breached just ten times in ten league outings and Burke is convinced they can extend that record and take a huge step towards the title.

He revealed: "I don't think it will come down to goalkickers. I think we will be strong enough, especially with our defence.

"We're very difficult to beat at home and not many teams have run us close. Thanet beat us in the cup but we have improved since then."

One man well placed to make a prediction is Sussex flanker Jody Levett, whose Chichester side have lost at home to both Brighton and Cranbrook after tough battles at Oaklands Park this season.

His verdict: "It's a really hard one to call. Cranbrook are big from 1-15 but I'd go for Brighton just because they are at home."

Title hopefuls Worthing will take a keen interest in the result from Waterhall after they have seen off lowly Medway.

Coach Tim Mackew is hoping Brighton win to set up a huge Sussex derby at the end of the month.

Worthing will call new Kiwi blindside flanker Aaron DeBor off the bench at some stage this afternoon to see what he can do.

Young Tony Cruz is given a chance on the wing in place of flu victim Neil Weston after failing to shine at fullback.

Sussex loose head Alex Knight-Barnard makes his comeback for Chichester after a difficult season spent trying to make an impact at various clubs closer to London.

Knight-Barnard, who now works in the capital, is keen to retain his county place and joins the Chi pack for the trip to Eastbourne. Paul Butt is back in the second row so Nigel Turner reverts to No.8.

Kevin Cartwright gets a chance on the wing for Crawley at home to Folkestone. Steve Holmes is out injured.

Hove have half a dozen players out of their home clash with Sidcup, including hooker Pete Allen and try-scoring forward Michael Walton.

Lewes return to London Two South action and will find life at home to Old Guildfordians rather less demanding than at Truro last week.

Australian fullback Matt Cooper made a daunting debut in that 48-3 NPI Cup defeat and gets his first home outing today.

TODAY'S LINE-UPS

Brighton: Burt, Poole, Hensby, Lewis, Jones, Burke, Hutchens; McDonagh, Ellis, Britton, Gibb, Venter, Mann, Griffiths, Jefferies. Reps: Jenkins, Henderson, Watts.

Worthing: Quirk, Eze, Butler, S. Imrie, Cruz, Ashwin, M. Imrie; Piggott, Bennett, Wilcox, M. Skrypec, Dove, Cox, Newhouse, Fanning.

Chichester: Johnson, Fradgely, Kyffin, Steve Bradford, Russell, Stanton, Simon Bradfiord; Knight-Barnard, Powell, Chandler, Corby, Butt, Levett, Turner, Polhill.

Crawley: O'Reilly, Cartwright, Pilgrim, Billings, Young, Kemp-Gee, Jones; Sparks, Phillips, Clay, Walton, Matterface, Worrall, Dowling, Shadbolt.

Lewes: Cooper, T. Hemsley, Garfoot, B. Jones, Eades, Wignall, Hancock; D. Hemsley, Denslow, Sherwood, Tagg, Baker, Ware, King.

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