The first half of the season was notable for the number of players who were injured or who have moved away.

Last season’s top try scorer Will Hilditch is the latest absentee – he is off to Australia for the rest of the month.  John Bunter also has a new job in the New Forest, which is just a bit too far to commute and his former second row partner Jake Linighan has work commitments this week.

However, Matt Siddle has answered the call and will travel up from Essex to start at full back.

As a result of all the enforcced changes  we have promoted half a dozen of last year’s senior Colts side, probably earlier than originally anticipated, but there were promising signs at Pocklington last week that the future could be bright.

Teenagers Ollie Connolly (fly half), Aidan Jackson-Smith and Liam Pennick (front row), James Borthwick (second row), Ethan Ledington (back row) and James Pearson (centre) all look comfortable in their first season at Level Six.

Unfortunately, 17 year old Pearson dislocated his shoulder last week and misses his chance to start for the unavailable Hilditch.

Instead, Lewis Scott moves inside with Harry Mayes coming in on thre wing. Lewis will be hoping for better luck than he had at Pocklington where the home touch judge agreed that he had indeed grounded the ball in the corner - unfortunately the Ref saw otherwise.

Alex Barker returned to duty after his own long term injury last week and starts in the back row alongside Ben Armstrong and Liam Bailey who will continue at No.8.

All the senior players are meeting at 12.15 to be brought up to date with the strengthening of the coaching team which sees Jamie Connolly, Ian Wilson and Antony Cameron joining Stu Waites and Carlo Robinson in looking after the Firsts.  Director of Rugby Graeme Southern has decided to concentrate  on developing players through the Stags.

West: Matt Siddle, Max Tennant, Lewis Scott, Zac Southern,  Harry Mayes, Ollie Connolly , Ryan Painter (captain), Liam Pennick, Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates, Chris Atkins, Adam Brown, Alex Barker, Ben Armstrong, Liam Bailey.

Changes: Aidan Jackson-Smith, James Borthwick, Callum Johnston.