Our final league game before a xmas break arrives and we can assess the merits of our first half of the season. Loads of positives have occurred this season but Saturday feels like a must win to keep our momentum.

Squad depth is tested again with a few injuries and Shaun Stewart's wedding. However, the side again looks quality as Andrew Palmer's second team have been flying of late. Saturday's squad only includes 6 lads who played the last time against them with 6 lads having played in the second team fixture on the day.

The pack sees Rhys Gibbons come in at hooker as we shift Sion Gittins to the back rower to replace the outgoing Louis Matthews. Last weeks second half star Theo Mouille is selected in the starting line up in place of Jonny Allton.

Novos back line see the majority of this weeks changes as Harry Tankard comes back into the squad to play ten. He is almost a like for like replacement for Lewis Chater with both players being incredible creative and capable of moments of brilliance.

In the centres we see regular first teamer Sam Bird return from work commitments last week to get a shirt back. Out the back Matthew Russell comes into the starting fifteen at fullback after some great performances for the second team.

The bench shows our strength with player coach, Michael Searle likely to start on the bench due to work commitments in the morning. Charlie Lawlor returns after missing last week with an illness on the morning of the game. The final spot goes to Simeon Archibald who will make his debut. he has been outstanding for the twos but we have had to wait for his paperwork to be done. Now dual registered with us and Old Brodleians we are excited to see the back rower make his debut.

Should be a cracking day against a side we narrowly beat in September. We will have to disrupt what will be a heavier pack and stop their 8 and 12 on the gain line.

1st xv to play Bishop Auckland away - meet 1130 for a 1145 leave. Kick off 1400
Tom Taylor, Rhys Gibbons, Morgan Scrace, Jeremy Hunt, Theo Mouille, George Bambrick (captain) Sion Gittins, Dylan Gittins, Ollie Towe, Harry Tankard, Rhys Merlane, Sam Bird, Sam Busby, Sam Ogilvie, Matthew Russell, Charlie Lawlor, Simeon Archibald (debut) Michael Searle

2nd xv to play West Hartlepool away - meet 1130 for a 1145 leave. Kick off 1400
Ant McQuillan, Ben Rodgers, Ian Wood, Dylan Mills, Charlie Muse, Thomas Platt, Sully Ismail, Josh Hood, Ian Ramsay (captain) Harry Jones, Adam Lambert, Ben Jubb, Joe Kapur, Zinzan Fraser, Ben Wilkinson, Christian Selkirk, Jamie Killoh, Rohan Cook, Ross Cleminson, Ethan Morton

Up the Vos !