1st xv squad to take on RGS Old Boys at 1300 on Saturday 28th December - 1145 meet.
David Medjigbodo-Lawson, Sion Gittins, Ben Rodgers, Jeremy Hunt,Ewan Strachan, Dylan Gittins, Seb Shilling, Rob Baldwin, Rhys Merlane, Josh Farley, Luke Masters, Ben Jubb, Eoghan Phillips, Sam Cleife, Lewis Chater. Subs - Ant McQuillan, Ben Stocken, Jonny Cotterill, Ryan Gibson, George Bambrick, Tiom Westgarth, Gavin Wilson, Takreem Faheem.

For those unaware with the reason behind the game it is a memorial game for John Elders who died in May 2015. John played for Vos in 1959-1966 before coaching the club in 1969 and 1976-1978. In 1971 he was appointed coach of England whilst in place at RGS throughout these dates. With such a huge impact on the school and Vos rugby it seemed only right to start a memorial game in his memory.

Rgs Old Boys went out to a healthy lead in the early years as Vos with several national league standard players in their side. Novocastrians in recent seasons have used the game to ensure that our young lads away at uni get back down the club and put the shirt on again. This has resulted in stronger sides and better results.

Allways amazed o see the attitude of the Vos boys to play rugby - we have selected 23 players but had 31 available. Massive thank you to those lads who put their names forwarded but unfortunately, have not been selected on this occasion.

Strong front row out as David Medjibodo-Lawson packs down hoping to earn a spot vs Sunderland on the 4th. He will have Sion Gittins alongside him in a rare outing due to his Newcastle Uni commitments this season. Ben Rodgers is to get another game at tighthead after playing well there vs Darlington last time out.

Great to see Ewan Strachan return from uni and put a shirt on again - packing down alongside regular first teamer Jez Hunt. Excited to see the back row boys play as Dylan Gittins and Seb Shilling jump in for a game, also back from uni. The pack is finished with Rob Baldwin - the leagues top try scorer who joined us from Westoe and has not looked back.

Hopefully the weather will be good enough for our backs to have a go. Regular first team players throughout the line up with Rhys Merlane and Josh Farley at 9 and 10. They pair have really started to show a good understanding in recent matches.

The side will be captained again by Ben Jubb who led the boys to a last minute victory last season. He is joined by Eoghan Phillips, having returned from London for the xmas period. Looking forward to watching these two talented centres play alongside each other.

The back line is completed with a mixture of good footwork, pace and creativity of Luke Masters, Sam Cleife and Lewis Chater.

The squad shows its real ability with the strength of the bench as Ant McQuillan, Ben Stocken, George Bambrick, Jonny Cotterill. Tom Westgarth and the returning Ryan Gibson to join the pack in the second half. The backs are completed with Gavin Wilson and Takreem Faheem both having returned from uni to put a Vos shirt on again.

Should be a great day as usual and a cracking game of rugby. RGS squad to follow later today....

Up the Vos !