1st xv @ Horden - 1150 meet, 1400 kick off
James Moore, Ben Rodgers, Sol Mak, Jeremy Hunt, Darren Kelly, Louis Matthews, Simeon Archibald, George Bambrick, Lewis Chater, Josh Farley, Sam Cleife, Michael Searle, Ben Jubb, Max Cook, Sam Busby, Sion Gittins, Sam Bird, Rhys Merlane

2nd xv @ Carlisle - 1115 leave, 1400 kick off
Jack Bolam, Ant McQuillan, Vuyo Nossa-Yabantu, Eddie Mason, Sasan Shazady, Neil Spence, Sully Ismail, Vinny Baker, Christian Selkirk, Matthew Russell, Will Pink, Lex Leonard, James Bass, Greg Wills, Adam Lambert, Arthur Wallis

The group are excited to travel to Horden despite it being scheduled for a day off. Like us our opponents are unbeaten at home and we are hoping to be the first to beat them. A great group of players assembled, really showing our depth at the club.

We are delighted to welcome back Sol Mak, Louis Matthews and Sam Bird into the squad. Mak has been playing uni rugby regularly, and the powerful scrummager will welcome the challenge of senior rugby again. The boys will be fired up to see Louis Matthews making his first appearance of the season. We are hoping that this is the first step to his eventual return to the area and the squad. Finally, Bird gets a well-deserved opportunity after some great performances for the 2's and showing some quality in training. He will be pumped to get amongst the lads and show his skill set.

Hopefully, the weather plays ball as the wind is in at the moment. However, we have gone with our heaviest front rowers to try and attack Horden's set piece. Both scrums struggled on their own ball at times in the first match. We hope that James Moore, Ben Rodgers and Sol Mak will put their 8 on the back foot, as he is the league's top try scorer. After a full uni game on Wednesday, Sion Gittins is on the bench and will be desperate to get on and open the game up in the second half.

The back five doesn't change too much, with Darren Kelly, Jez Hunt and Simeon Archibald challenged to win lineout ball. George Bambrick captains the side from 8 and will enjoy some ball in hand.

We opt for a change at 9 to give Lewis Chater a deserved starting opportunity. Last year's top try scorer has played in the back three a lot and will relish being creative in the middle of things. He partners Josh Farley who's kicking game may be very important on Saturday in expected windy conditions.

Rhys Merlane moving to the bench is the only change in the back line from last week. As Michael Searle and Ben Jubb will have the job of creating space for the gasmen. Max Cook, Sam Busby and Sam Cleife were excellent last week with some great defensive work, line breaks, and finishing.

Huge challenge for the boys but we are hoping to perform well. The last outing was a tight affair until we pulled away in the last 15-20 mins. Horden are a good side and an away win will have to be earned.

Up the Vos !