Just the two games this week as the squads remain ravaged by injury and availability. The 1st XV travel to Sunderland and the 2nd XV host Jarrow at Sutherland Park. Note that both games kick off at 1400.

A few positive changes this week as Tom Taylor comes back into the side as does Louis Matthews. Both were rested last week after a few bumps and cuts to the head the week before at Upper Eden. Taylor has been the cornerstone of our pack in recent seasons, the mainstay of our front rowers. In addition, Matthews would have to be up there for player of the season so far.

Thomas Young returns to the group and plays hooker on this occasion in the absence of Sion Gittins. In an effort to compete against a Sunderland scrums that has caused us issues in the past we have gone with three props from the off. This sees us without a recognised back up thrower so in comes current colt Shay Wilkinson. The U18’s hooker will be called up on to nail some important throws at the business end of the game. He has impressed during lineout drills at training and played in the 2’s game vs Westoe last Saturday.

The rest of the pack is unchanged and will need to be at their best to edge to get a rare away league win at Sunderland. We did win our last away match however, it was a national cup game and played at Hill View, not at Ashbrooke.

The back line also sees some positive changes as Sam Evans comes back in, also rested last week against Consett as he was carrying a knock. The back line sees real fluidity this week with players able to chop and change positions on the pitch. Added to with the return of Josh Farley – absent through unavailability due to uni commitments and injury. It will be great to see Farley but on a Vos shirt for the first time this season.

Pretty strong side with three props to do scrum battle, Jonny Cotterill and Owen Hayton in the engine room and a good back row trio. In the backs we hope to see better running conditions to allow our dangerous back three get some ball. Harry McBride, gets his second game in a row and the American utility back will want more possession than he got last week.

1st XV to play Sunderland away at 1400, meet for a 1145 leave from Vos

Tom Taylor, Tom Young, David Medjigbodo-Lawson, Jonny Cotterill, Owen Hayton, Sam Bird, Louis Matthews, Dylan Gittins, Rhys Merlane, Sam Evans, Max Cook, Josh Farley, Ben Jubb, Harry McBride, Sam Busby, Shay Wilkinson, Jez Hunt, Fred Abraham

2nd XV to host Jarrow at Sutherland Park, 1400 kick off, meet 1245

Nathan Tizard, Alex Cokeley, Will Steward, George Mitchell, Jonny Allton, Alex Henry, Oli Taylor, Will Alexander, Cam Wallace, Ben Lumm, Dennis Osagie, Zac Smith, Stewart Wilson, Harvey Gadsden, Adam Lambert, James Moore, Matthew Knox, Thomas Hobden, Luke Masters, Owen Sanderson

Our second xv is in league rugby this season – level 8. It would be great to see those unable to get Sunderland, rock up at Sutherland Park to cheer the boys on. Incredibly blessed to have two sides at Novos playing league rugby.

Up the Vos !