Squad - George Waterhouse, Sion Gittins, Luke Foster, Jonny Allton, Ryan Gibson, Louis Matthews, Dylan Gittins, Ian Ramsay, Harry Tankard (debut) Brandon Gilbert, Darren Kelly, Ben Jubb, Greg Abibu, Shaun Stewart - Vinny Baker, Alex Cleminson, Christian Selkirk and Sam Bird.

We were due to play this fixture on the day we played Hartlepool but in true RFU fashion we were forced to play the league game instead. North Shields and Jack Pellew (Fixture Sec) have done a great job in getting the fixture scheduled at Blyth so we can avoid fixture congestion at the end of the season.

Great opportunity for our lads to finish the season on a high with a cup run. Loads of our uni students back for Easter so delighted we can get them some rugby.

Despite regular front rowers of Johnny McSorley, Tom Dias, Pete Twentyman and Jack Wilson it is great to see us put out a solid tight five. Whilst the front row is having their first game together it is a talented group of ex Novos colts in Newcastle Uni first teamer George Waterhouse, County U20 hooker Sion Gittins and Luke Foster. Luke is playing the rugby of his life at the moment and is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

With a new group ahead of them we have gone for the twin towers of Northumbria Uni first team Ryan Gibson. Ryan has had a run of games for us since uni rugby finished and has settled in well with the group, dominating the lineout. He will be partnered by Northumbria Police representative Jonny Allton. Hopefully the engine room will be able to cope with a facet of the game where Nth Shields will hope to get the edge.

The back row is as good as it gets at Novos with Louis Matthews playing 6 and will want to get a few steals and a line break or two. Joe Whelan in his debut season has been amazing and will continue at 7. His defensive efforts last time out inspired us to a win over Hartlepool. Rounding off the back row is Dylan Gittins - the weaker drinker of the two brothers he has been in fantastic form on his return from Cardiff Uni.

We will get our first look at Harry Tankard in a first team shirt on Wednesday as he partners Ian Ramsay at 9. Harry joined us just after the transfer deadline but has had 3-4 great outing for our 2's. A running flyhallf with great defensive qualities we all hope he does well in a position we have struggled in throughout the season in terms of depth.

The centre pairing are well balanced with Darren Kelly placed at 12 to help Harry marshall the troops and move the ball to best space. Outside him is Northumberland U20 captain Ben Jubb. Back from Leeds Beckett for Easter and will hope to cause carnage in the centres.

The back three changes slightly this week as Dan Neill is in Manchester and Sam Bird is not expected to get to the game until kick off. So Brandon Gilbert slides across from his centre role to grab the left wing spot. Greg Abibu continues on the right wing after two great games for the club upon his return to the group. Shaun Stewart will start in the 15 shirt and do the goal kicking duties fresh from 3 from 3 against Hartlepool.

On the bench are Vinny Baker - current colts front Rowe who will be playing his 3rd game for the 1's. It is hoped that Alex Cleminson is available to take a bench spot with experienced scrum half Christian Selkirk who had a great game for the 2's on Saturday. Sam Bird is the final replacement who can play anywhere in the backs.

Amazing to have such a great youthful squad out for a cup match - revitalising a tough season. Shows how important cup rugby is to us having won the senior plate on two occasions in recent history and one loss.

Should be a great occasion so get along to Blyth on Wednesday to watch 1930 kick off.

Saturday is a 2/3's fixture vs touring side Loughborough RFC with kick off at 1430. Plenty of rugby still to be played at Novos.

Up the Vos !