With eight games to go the Firsts are still unbeaten but with Sunderland waiting in the wings for any slip-ups. They beat Novos 34-14 last week at Ashbrooke leaving the Tynesiders in 10th place with five wins out of 14 games played.
One or two enforced changes for the Firsts with Davy Heckles carrying a knock and Will Corbett working. Lewis Scott returns on the wing allowing Will Hilditch to move inside, while Alex Barker starts in the back row after his return from injury last week. That will allow Jake Linighan to start in the second row alongside Ollie Webster.
The final change sees Aidan Jackson-Smith back at hooker, with Alex Johnson providing front row and second row cover from the bench where Isaac Robinson also returns for his first outing of 2023.
Prop Tim Blades was in fine form when he came off the bench last week and he'll be looking to make his second first team appearance of the season.
The Stags will have their usual mix of youth and experience, including the half back pairing of Matty Bagg and Stu Waites and hooker Louis Adamson packing down alongside Adam Coates.
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Firsts @ Novos Kick off 2.00 |
Stags @ Hartlepool II's Kick off 2.00 |
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| Matt Siddle | 15 | Dom Cox |
| Lewis Scott | 14 | Jordan Painter |
| Wuill Hilditch | 13 | Zac Southern |
| Ollie Connolly | 12 | Martin Todd |
| Max Tennant | 11 | Dan Quinnn |
| Sam Heron | 10 | Stu Waites |
| Ryan Painter (capt) | 9 | Matty Baggs |
| Jack Angus | 1 | Craig Hadwen |
| Aidan Jackson-Smith | 2 | Louis Adamson |
| Adam Hutchinson | 3 | Adam Coates |
| Jake Linighan | 4 | Cameron Allison |
| Ollie Webster | 5 | Cameron Mould |
| Alex Barker | 6 | Liam Liston |
| Chris Atkins | 7 | Charlie Kay |
| Jay Corbett | 8 | Liam Pennick |
| Tim Blades | 16 | Liam Larkin |
| Alex Johnson | 17 | Jacob Parker |
| Isaac Robinson | 18 | Glynn Pickering |
| Callum Tregar | ||
| Ryan Godfrey | ||
| Charlie Caswell | ||
| James Tyers | ||
| Ross Wood | ||
| C |