Thorn is the only new face in the first team side. But Chocky Davies returns from long term suspension to partner Tom Dixon in the second row with Paul Rudd in the back row alongside a slimline Henry Tones and Jonny Boatman.
Paul Williamson gets the start at scrum half, with Davy Tighe still injured, and Darren Thomas on the bench after his return for a year travelling in the Antipodes. Phil Wallis gets his reward for some hard pre-seaosn training with a start at fly half.
Paul Moss's training regime was badly hit by a burst appendix. Fortunately he has recovered enough to start for a Stags XV which sees flying full back Swales earn his place after an impressive show at Athletic last week. Winger Stu Waites also showed up well and he also starts as does cfellow Under 18s Lloyd [second row[ and Coates [prop].
The first team are also at home to a Sunderland side next week. The Wearsiders have already hammered Rovers pre-season while we have a score to settle with Billingham who dumped us out of the County Cup last season.
Firsts : Thorn, Todd, Edwards, Hodgson, Hare, Wallis, Williamson, Carr [capt], Robinson, Phillips, Davies, Dixon, Rudd, Tones, J Boatman. Bench: Thomas, Painter, D Boatman, Henderson.
Stags: Swales, A Cheslin, Robinson, C Cheslin, Waites, Moss, Dougherty, Cholmondeley, Butler, Coates, Robinson, Lloyd, Young, Garside. Bench: Graham, Anderson, Jackson, Hogan, Kirton.