Rovers were there last week, and their 10-6 win put our rivals above us in the table, so that's another incentive for breaking our away game hoodoo.
Jake Linighan is back after serving a two match ban for his unfortunate expression of frustration to the Ref in the win over Percy Park, and Michael Hogan will partner him in the second row, after recovering from his knee problems.
On the debit side Adam Brown will be missing after injuring his shoulder in the dying seconds at Northern last week, where a hastily put together side took a hammering from a slick set of backs. Tim Blades is available so comes into the front row alongside Coatesy and Aidan Jackson-Smith
Andy Turner also made his return from long term injury wheh he came on as a replacement. He will start at No.8 against Rockcliff alongside Tom Robertson and Isaac Robinson - another player returning from injury.
Will Hilditch is unavailable, so there's a reshuffle in the backs with Stu Waites dropping to full back and Sam Heron joining Ollie Connolly in the centre with Matt Siddle resuming at fly-half.
There's action at Brinkburn with Sunderland II's and III's providing first half opposition for the Stags and second half opposition for the Vets, followed by Scotland v England on the TV. The Academy host Guisborough on Sunday in a friendly- kick off 1.00.
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Firsts @ Rockcliff Kick off 2.00 |
Stags/Vets Squad v Sunderland Kick off 2.00 |
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| Stu Waites | Zac Southern | |
| Owen Westhorp | Martin Todd | |
| Sam Heron | Jacob Parker | |
| Ollie Connolly | Liam Larkin | |
| Lewis Scott | Stev Jones | |
| Matt Siddle | Jon Cole | |
| Ryan Painter (capt) | Andy Campbell | |
| Tim Blades | Ryan Godfrey | |
| Aidan Jackson-Smith | Fin Ridley | |
| Adam Coates | Jordan Painter | |
| Jack Linighan | Cameron Allison | |
| Michael Hogan | Ollie Webster | |
| Tom Robertson | Will Corbett | |
| Isaac Robinson | Cameron Mould | |
| Andy Turner | Matt Sanders | |
| Owen Nugent | ||
| Adam Hutchinson | Spud Liston | |
| Craig Hadwen | Jimmy Tyers | |
| Max Tennant | Danny Cookland | |