Table-topping Huddersfield return to their league duties against Percy Park as the push for promotion continues.
Having given a number of senior players a week off for last week’s Yorkshire Cup victory over Driffield, ‘Field are fresh and raring to go.
Manager Lee Paxman said: “Last week was a chance for us to rest some legs and thankfully we got exactly what we wanted from the game.
“Percy Park took us all the way earlier this season and we were lucky to come away with a win, but it was one we desperately needed.
‘Field are also boosted by the return of Tom Owen, who has recovered from a knee injury, but are without Thomas Van Rooyen.
Paxman said: “TVR has made a massive impact in Tom’s absence, he is unavailable this weekend but we are lucky that Tom has recovered from a knee injury that we feared could have been a lot worse than what it was.
‘Field name a return to the wing for in-form Elliot Hodgson and Ben Hoyle has fully recovered from a concussion, to which Paxman hopes the blow was not hard enough to knock any sense into him, meaning he’ll continue to throw his body on the line.
‘Field also name two new recruits in the shape of Dan Jeffrey and Gareth Richardson. Despite a number of senior players returning from injury, Field will be glad for extra cover.
Paxman said: “We need as many players available as possible to continue the push for promotion and with the new lads we have the quality we need”.
Jeffrey joins ‘Field from Australian side Manly Marlins, while Gareth Richardson joins from Heath. With Richardson being a good friend of head coach Gareth Lewis, Field know that he brings a wealth of experience and a strong presence.
Hopeful of a victory to increase the pressure of league-chasers Stockport and Sale, ‘Field will hope to relax at five o’clock when ex Huddersfield youngster Luther Burrell is in action for England.
Paxman said: “There will be a strong contingent from all senior sides as they are all coming back to Lockwood to watch the game on the big screen. All the boys will be behind Luther, hopefully we can have a clean sweep of victories beforehand.
The Falcons have a tough away game at Old Brodlians, a game they must win if they are to keep pressure at the top of the league.
While the A-Team are also in action at Baildon, as they chase promotion in their division and hope to continue their title ass the most successful side in the club despite their loss two weeks ago, their first in the league this season.
Paxman said: “Hopefully we can get the victory we need and then watch England do the same, and as our last home game was a month ago, there is a month’s worth of beer to drink”.
1. Alex Battye
2. James Davies
3. Antony Stringwell
4. Nick Rhodes
5. Gavin Rhodes
6. Ross Thornton
7. Ben Hoyle
8. Nick Sharpe (c)
9. Joel Hinchliffe
10. Giles Hetherington
11. Mike Clarke
12. Tom Owen
13. Ben Mitchell
14. Elliot Hodgson
15. Tom Hodson
Subs:
Gareth Richardson
Dan Jeffrey
Robert Sykes
England v Scotland – 5pm kick off
The England game will be shown on the big screen after the match and the club will be full of rugby lads supporting the local hero. All are welcome.
