Before a Novos side touches the odd shaped ball however, Sutherland Park could be preparing to absorb in the Haka; a traditional war cry and dance, now synonymous with New Zealand rugby.

The Royal Grammar School will take on a side predominantly made up of Maoris, this Saturday at Sutherland Park. Wairoa College, from Hawkes Bay in New Zealand, are touring around Great Britain and Northern Europe for the duration of the RWC.

The tour costs were mainly sourced through donations and fund raising for the college, situated in a less than affluent area of New Zealand. Not only will the College play rugby, they'll be travelling around the battlefields of France and Belgium to pay their respects to their ancestors that died in the 1st World War. The game will kick off at 14:15 and we hope they'll enjoy their stay at Novos - I'm led to believe they'll be staying for a few hours, so hopefully they'll be made welcome. Perhaps we can return the favour of the Haka with a rendition of Wild Rover led by Cousins and/or Cotterill?!

The 1st XV, sit top of the DN1 table and travel away to 3rd place Middlesbrough. Amazingly, I can find no previous meetings between our 1st XV's from Jim Lewin's extensive records. There is however, a match day programme from 1963 when our two sides met (Vic Crew, Ian Watson and Oggie Wright, notable mentions from that game!).

Novos are looking to record their fourth win of the season, a feat not managed at the start of a league campaign since 2001-02. The side hoping to match this record sees an unchanged front row of Goodman, Twentyman and Menzfeld. Further continuity is on show with Ward and Dodds at lock. The hat-trick is completed with an unchanged back row of Igoe, Merrett and Captain Littlefair.

Cillian O'Shaugnessy was unfortunately injured last time out, so Lewis Chater starts at 9, before dashing off to his new life at 'ull University. Richard Dodd, in fine kicking form, keeps his spot as stand off. Rich Harrison slots in at 12 and Jez Nash moves outside to 13. An unchanged back three of Busby, Moloney and Parkinson, boasts 15 tries between them from 4 outings. The bench welcomes back Alex Westgarth, George Hazell and Shaun Stewart.

The 2nd XV, having won two on the bounce are hoping to secure a third victory with a home outing against Westoe. Novos beat Westoe II's just a fortnight ago and will be hoping to do so again. Milton, Barraclough and Douglas make up a strong front row. An experienced second row of Bird and Wallace is helped with the youthful and exuberant back row of Nugent, Ball and Doyle! Joel McKale and Greg Humphreyson will call the shots at 9 and 10. Skipper Melrose is at inside centre, with Ben Kelly at outside centre. James Bass, Angus Duncan and new signing, Vincent Wiel make up the back three. A strong bench includes, Warren, Salt, Wilson, Floyd (fresh from ITV fame), Wilson, Lowes, Baker and O'Keeffe.

The 3rd XV had a tough start to life in the River Aln League but secured a good victory over Blyth II last weekend. The side has been confirmed as: O'Connnell, JP Addison and Paterson in the front row. Tenglesen and Gardiner at lock. Smith, Hipps and captain Pratt make up the back row. Taylor is at scrum half, Marshall will marshall the game at 10. Wislon Jr and Hemmings make up the centre partnership, with Fenwick, Peniston-Bird and Marshall in the back three. Burford, Douthwaite, Histed and Croft are on the bench.

The 4th XV welcome Chester Le Street II's to Novos. This is the 4th XV's first match under the stewardship of Stevie Thompson. The side hoping to pick up their inaugural victory of the season is:
1. Rhys Rogers
2. Rich Zabrocki
3. Stevie Thompson
4. Chris AJ Brown
5. A. Graves
6. D. Hodgson
7. O. Gamble
8. Chris Thompson
9. David Sears
10 Adam Longstaff
11. Jake White
12. G. Davidson
13. J. Weaver
14 C. Cannon
15. O. Hill
16 JJ
17 D. Foggan
18. C. Wells
19. A. Walker
20. A Michelmore
21. Deniz Gultekin
22. Ed Walker

It is sure to be a weekend to remember and whichever game you choose to watch, we're sure you'll have a great time. Come on down to Sutherland Park and take in the surroundings of the best amateur rugby club in the North East. If Carlsberg did rugby clubs...