The coaches have named a squad to travel to Cheshire - but there are unlikely to be too many changes to the pack which has consistently won set piece ball. Adam Howard, the bright spot of the season, is likely to start in the back row alongside the hard working Boatmans with Carlo Robinson in the front row.

Howard has foregone the offer of a rugby league contract at Gateshead to do his bit for West. Luke Watson has decided to give league a go on the same terms which allows young Harry Readhead to continue at scrum half. His years of playing alongside Tom Wilson led to last week's only try and much rests on their young shoulders.

We probably owe Chester one! Back in September we were leading reasonably comfortably 13-5, before starting to give away needless penalties, with the result that they came through to win 17-13. It could be argued that that second half was when our problems began. A win, followed by the victory at Cleckheaton a week later, would have givben things a totally different complexion.

Our hosts started the season as strong promotion favourites. However, they have lost 5 games so far and are sitting in a comfortable fourth position some 13 points off the top. Last week they lost at home to Rossendale in another of the games the RFU insisted had to be switched because Dale's pitch is unplayable.

The Stags take on Westoe IIs at home with a 2.15 kick off in the last of the first round of CaNDY league games. After the break they'll be competing in the top half of the league with fixtures to be announced later. Jamie Connolly is likely to figure for the Stags at some stage.

The Bucks are away at Percy Park meet 12.00 and the Ams are away at Billingham IIIs meet 12.15

Chester: Sean Green, Liam Lawton, Tomn Foden, Simon Vervickas, Marcus Lyon, Rhy s hayes, James farrell, James Wainwright, John Gill, Jeff Kendall, John Piggot, Mark Brooks, Ross White, Abndy More Will Nown. Reps: Rhodri Owen, Pat Coy, Ben Williams.

West squad: Tom Wilson, Colin Cheslin, Peter Hodgson,Paul Moss,Darren Thomas, Gavin Robinson,Stu Waites, Harry Readhead, Anth Carr [capt], Andrew Dixon, John Greenwell, Carl Robinson, Paul Rudd, Dave Garside, Tom Dixon, Dan Boatman, Jon Boatman, Adam Howard.