Coach Tom McGee is determined that Wharfedale will finish the first half of the season with a win over Tynedale to reinforce the club’s mid-table position in SSE National League One.

“There were disappointing aspects of our set-piece performance last week (when they lost 20-17 at Macclesfield), but our shape was good and we created chances.

“Saturday's match gainst Tynedale is a big game for us.

“We want to take it to them and I am looking to the players for a reaction to last week’s disappointment.”

Tynedale are having, by their standards, a poor season, and currently lie in 13th place, four places and six points behind the Greens, but they should not be underestimated.

Joe Donkin returns to strengthen the Wharfedale back division, Simon Horsfall returns to his normal wing position with Lloyd Davies moving to full back.

Jim Mason gets a start in the back row and local boy Chris Howick comes on to the bench, to bring the home-grown contingent to ten.

Having won 20-19 at Westoe last week in SSE National League Two North, Otley must be confident of defeating Birmingham & Solihull, who are a place and four points better off than the north-easterners, at Cross Green.

Wharfedale (home to Tynedale): L Davies; N Taylor, J Donkin, A Hodgson (capt), S Horsfall; L Gray, J Gough; J Altham, S Graham, M Tampin, R Brown, R Rhodes, J Mason, A Allen, D Solomi. Replacements: A Mason, I Larkin, A Howard, C Howick, W Bell.

Leeds Carnegie will give a debut to former Chelsea footballer Alex Lozowski on Saturday in the British & Irish Cup at Pontypool.

The 19-year-old from the University of Leeds, who wants to play union full-time, was part of the academy at Stamford Bridge until he was 16.

He will start at Pontypridd having been a travelling reserve on three occasions for the first team already this season.

Lozowski said: “I can’t wait – it will be a good experience for me.

“I did pre-season at the university and got invited down by Mark Luffman to train with the Leeds Carnegie Academy.

“From there I got the chance to train with the first team whenever I can, and I am delighted to be involved.

“I am studying economics, which entails quite a lot of study, but I have been able to get in two or three times a week to train with the first team. I catch up with my weights in the gym at uni and do as much as I can.”