The 21 year old back row, known for some reason as Spanish, is studying criminology and sociology at Northumbria University. He says there is no truth in the rumour that he wanted to play in Hartlepool to help his studies.

He is a Londoner who learnt his rugby at Rossyln Park, playing National Two with them two years ago. He's also represented Scottish Exiles, as well as Berkshire and Middlesex, and impressed in the Stags game at Mowden Park before limping off with a hamstring strain.

Most recently he's been figuring with Richard Arnold's Team Northumbria before hitching a lift down from Tyneside with Gareth Kerr to try his luck with West. With Jonny Boatman out until next year, and Aaron Myers out until the Hull game next month, his arrival is a major bonus.

Spanish will be in a pack which sees genial Geordie Chris Stewart make his first start. He came on as a replacement last week, immediately taking the game to a big Cleckheaton pack. His honest commitment will be needed against a solid Tigers front five. They are the only side to have beaten Hull this season - seemingly doing it by utilising their strengths up front.

The visitors will be without old adversary Dave Scully at scrum half. The influential 43 year old has the distinction of signing for West several times in the old professional days without ever actually playing for us.

However, Tigers will still be difficult opposition and favourites to win after pointless display at Cleckheaton last week. We can take heart from the fact that Cleck themsleves were thumped by a 14 man Stockport the previous week. Messrs Sawyer and Oliphant will be demanding the same wholehearted display from their players.

A word of warning. Work has started on the construction of the new Sixth Form college and as a result the car park and surrounding areas are very clarty. Don't wear your new hush puppies.

West: Iain Dixon, Rob Thorn,Gareth Kerr, Peter Hodgson, Colin Cheslin, Paul Moss,Davy Tighe, Anth Carr,Tim Sawyer ,Chris Stewart Tom Dixon, Iain Robinson, Dan Boatman, Dominic Morrison,Paul Vinnicombe. Reps: Adam Coates, Andrew Dixon, Neil Howe.

Tigers: 15 Tom Outram 14 Gareth Morley 13 Tom Bray 12 Simon Tillyer 11 Charlie Spon-Smith 10 Jimmy Pearson 9 Alex Drage 1 Chris Warner 2 Harry Toews 3 Simon Bunting 4 Richard Joel [c] 5 Luke Gross 6 Andy Barnes 7 Nick Barrett 8 Nick Pearson 16 Tim Bowman 17 David McCabe 18 Jonathan McMillan

Referee: Mr Will Halford, North Group.