NEWBURY'S highly rated teenager Tom Kessell is set to become Plymouth Albion's third scrum-half signing of the summer.

The 19-year-old, who came through Bath's junior ranks, is training with Albion and, according to Newbury, he is to join hooker Joe Clark in swapping Monks Lane for Brickfields.

England Student international Clark has been training with Graham Dawe's side for a number of weeks and is believed to have put pen to paper on a deal at Albion, although the club have yet to officially confirm it.

Cornishman Kessell joined Newbury last summer following a short spell at Bridgwater & Albion, after leaving Bath at 18. He made five starts and seven replacement appearances for Newbury last term, scoring one try.

The teenager also had a short loan spell at National League Division Three South side Dings Crusaders, for whom he made five appearances.

If, as expected, Kessell does sign for Albion, he will be the third number nine to move to Brickfields over the closed season.

Tongan Sione Tu'ipulotu and Irishman Ruairi Cushion have already been unveiled by Dawe, while Kessell and Clark are set to follow in the footsteps of Liam Gibson in swapping Newbury for Albion.

Gibson joined Albion from the Monks Lane side in 2007 as a 21-year-old.

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LOCK Tyler Hotson, who is set to move to Albion this summer, has kept his place in Canada's team for the second leg of their World Cup qualifying match against the USA.

Canada lost the first leg 12-6 and must win by seven or more points in Edmonton to book their place at the 2011 World Cup. Former Albion players Justin Mensah-Coker and James Pritchard are also named in their starting line-up.

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ANDY Gomarsall is among the star names playing for an ex-Premiership XV against a Royal Marines side at Brickfields tomorrow in aid of charity.

The match is being held as part of the Chara Challenge, aimed at raising money for a host of services charities.

Organisers are hoping rugby fans and supporters of the armed forces will pack into Plymouth Albion's ground for not only the chance to see some famous faces don their rugby boots again but also help a worthwhile cause.

"We are hoping to get a similar-sized crowd as turned up for the Combined Services match against the Barbarians," said C/Sgt Jan Hicklin, who is the Royal Marines' team manager.

"As well as the rugby match there will also be an auction afterwards.

"Andy Gomarsall has confirmed he is playing for the ex-Premiership side.

"Phil Greening is running their team and they have got some big-name players. I know Dave Rees and Dave Sims are among their squad. They are still finalising their XV."

The organisers had been hoping former Albion favourites Dan Ward-Smith and Andy Perry would play, but they have commitments with Wasps and Newcastle respectively.

Hicklin said: "We were trying to get Andy Perry, with him being a former Royal Marine, but he is under contract and is in the middle of pre-season."

But Plymouth fans could see Graham Dawe and Dan Parkes turn out against the Royal Marines.

Parkes, who had a brief spell at Bath, has been called into the Premiership side to add some front-row cover.

Dawe is still waiting for medical clearance to play competitively again after his horrific neck injury he suffered against Leeds on the final day of last season.

Gareth Evans, who has spent the last four seasons at Albion, will start at No.8 for the Royal Marines in tomorrow's 7pm kick-off.