1st xv vs Acklam (1500) Stacey, Twentyman (Capt) Menzfeld, Cox, MacDonald, Merrett, Bambrick, Ramsay, Sowter, Stewart, Wilson, Nash, Ward J, Busby, Hall, Shuttleworth and Humphreyson.

2nd xv vs Newcastle Freshers (1300) Dias, Cokeley, Graham, Ward C, Law, Leckie, Wallace, Porter, Selkirk, Bass, Horlock, Hart, Kelly, Marshall D

3rd xv at Morpeth (1500) Walker J, Waterhouse, Pitchford, Salt, Leverett, Willis, Ramsay, Cleminson, Wood, Pellew, Green, Mitchell L, Symonds, Eze, Bradford, Kauffman, Marshall J, Taylor, Day, O'Donoghue

4th xv vs Ashington (1500) Forbes, Wood, Shanahan, Smith, Deegan, Crowson, Davidson, Evans, Charmer, Humble J, Glasper, Isherwood, Lowes, Fitch, Hamilton, Jones, Walker, White

In addition, our Under 9's will play a curtain raiser against Rockcliff before the 1st xv match.

Novos have finished a rest week with two excellent sessions, both attended by over 40 players. Coaches Gareth Bowden, Rob Snow, Graeme Cooper and Andy Holman took the lads through some contact circuits, unit work and some conditioned touch games.

The first xv is without the services of Alex Littlefair which gives us a long awaited opportunity to look at Andy Hall off the bench. Andy is an experienced, physical player who will be looking to make a statement on Saturday.

In addition, young Euan Duncan is rested in the front row to allow Luke Menzfeld back into the squad. With Josh Stacey and Pete Twentyman, Luke forms Novos heaviest front row so far this season as we look to secure set piece ball to release our dangerous backs.

The final change sees the return of Paddy Sowter at nine. Paddy has made the nine spot his own since returning from Leeds Uni and has gone from strength to strength in the first few games of the season.

Acklam arrive at Sutherland Park after battering an under strength Gateshead side. They are not far behind us at this early stage of the season and will be looking to close the gap. We did not play them last season so it will be nice to host them on Saturday and return the great hospitality we have had on our visits to them.

All in all it will be a great day at Sutherland Park with various levels of rugby on display for people to come and see. Awesome to hear that the senior squad will be donating their fines money to Rock4Olly in aid of one of the Rockcliff U9 players who recently had a leg amputated after illness. Sure there will be some real Spirit of the Game shown on and off the pitch.

Good luck to all our teams - Up the Vos !