It's always a weird time in the English rugby season when the cold weather has lingered after cancelling last week's matches. Match preparation continues despite the knowledge that the game is more than likely to be off.

Tuesday saw the boys head to Dame Allan' School for a valuable indoor session of skills and conditioning. Then we headed to the Cosy Dove to undo all our good work - however, we are weaning ourselves off the drink post Xmas !

Thursday was inside at the club, players meeting looking at the playing calendar here on in and looking at some new lineouts, which was lead by Michael Searle. Whilst the backs did some work on starter shapes - all in the comfort of our newly decorated bar.

So we have done the best we can to prepare for the season restarting.

1st XV squad to play Bishop Auckland away, 1400 kick off, 1130 meet at Vos for lifts.
Ant McQuillin, Ben Rodgers, Tom Taylor, Andrew Kirton (debut) Jonny Cotterill, Rob Baldwin, George Bambrick, Dylan Gittins (Captain) Cameron Wallace, Sam Evans, Brandon Gilbert, Michael Searle, Josh Farley, Sam Cleife, Sam Busby, Jeremy Hunt, Louis Matthews, Rhys Merlane

3rd XV squad to play Newcastle Ravens at home, 1400 kick off, 1245 meet.
Jake Smith, Ollie Forster, Dom Burns, Michael Scott, Oli Taylor, Jack Bowman, Louis Oliver, James Bass, Ted Old, Matthew Russell, Mark Hemmings, Max Holland, Ewan Dryden, Jay Turton, Adam Longstaff, Shaun O'Connell, Chris Thompson, Andrew Robson, Stevie Thompson, Tom Storey, Jack Hutt, Rich Zabrocki, Christian Selkirk, Eddie Mason

Hopefully the game is on as Rob Baldwin, Cameron Wallace come back into the group after not being available last week. In addition, Ant McQuillin gets a well deserved opportunity to start at loose head. We also await the league debut of Andrew Kirton in the second row. Kirton brings valuable experience to a young pack, gain line physicality and is well known to our group, having played well against us in the past.

A new look to the back line this week as Ben Jubb has departed for six months of rugby in New Zealand. With Harry Tankard also unavailable for this week, we have tasked Josh Farley with the role. Whilst he's not played there for Vos he has played there several times with Newcastle Uni 1st XV. A perfect foil in his partnership with Michael Searle perhaps. Very excited to see Sam Evans and Josh play in the same side so let's hope the weather allows it to occur.

From the squad selected we wish Jonny Cotterill, Sam Evans and Sam Cleife well for the county U20 sessions coming up. Unfortunately, Sunday's session is already cancelled due to the weather. Be great to see the club get county recognition again after senior representation last year and a batch of lads playing for the U18's already this season.

The 3's squad is boosted by a couple of lads still being in toon on their uni hols. Ollie Forster starts at hooker and Max Holland plays in the centres. Great opportunity for them to put a shirt on whilst they are home, having already played in some of our festive games in the last two weeks.

Fingers crossed for some games this week - up the Vos !