IF Tom Hicks had his way then Plymouth Albion and Moseley would not be battling it out with each other to stay in the RFU Championship.

It is now a straight fight between the two sides to avoid relegation to National One, with Moseley seven points ahead of Albion with two matches to play.

That might seem like a large advantage but the teams meet this weekend so that gap could be cut to as little as two points going into the final weekend, if Albion secure a bonus point win at Billesley Common and deny Moseley any points.

Lock Hicks is dual-registered with Plymouth Albion from Premiership side Gloucester, but he had a similar loan spell at Moseley during the 2012/13 season while on the books of Northampton Saints.

And Hicks wishes it hadn’t come down to a contest between his current and former club.

“It is tough,” said the 23-year-old. “But it’s the way it has to be – one team has to go down.

“I know Moseley have got a new stand and are definitely a club on the rise, but Plymouth are a similar club. They have both got loads of club history and are trying to move forward.”

However, Hicks will not have any divided loyalties this Saturday. He is desperate for Albion to win and take the relegation battle into the final Saturday of the season.

If Plymouth lose or draw in Birmingham then they will be condemned to life in National One next season.

“This is a massive weekend for us,” said Hicks.

“We haven’t spoken too much about the pressure we are under, but all the boys know how big this weekend is.

“We are not trying to put too much pressure on ourselves. We just have to try and stick to our game-plan.

“But the boys will probably be fired up, so it should be a pretty interesting game.

“At the end of the day it is a must-win game. Obviously, if we don’t win it we are definitely relegated.

“But a good solid win this Saturday, then the last weekend will be even more interesting.”

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