Moseley and Exeter have a double incentive when they meet at Billesley Common on Saturday.

The match is billed as the semi-final of the EDF Energy National Trophy, but will also serve as a National One league match.

The decision has been made to ease Moseley's serious fixture backlog.

"It's a bit of an unusual situation, but we'll probably regard it as a league fixture primarily," said Moseley head coach Ian Smith.

"The fact that it is a cup semi-final with a trip to Twickenham is a tremendous boost, but we are under no illusions that we are playing against very tough opponents."

Exeter will go into the tie as the favourites as they remain hard on the heels of National One leaders Leeds Carnegie. And they will be trying to capitalise on Leeds' back-to-back away defeats at Doncaster and Bedford by going level on points with the leaders.

"Exeter were probably quite happy to be in the bridesmaid's position," said Smith. "But they have suddenly been catapulted into the limelight with Leeds losing a couple of games."

Moseley are looking to earn a trip to Twickenham for the first time since 1982 when they drew with Gloucester in the final of the John Player Cup, sharing the trophy.

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