The return fixture at Acklam Park this week (kick off 2.00) promises to be another enthralling contest. West need to continue their improved form to avoid any chance of being sucked into the relegation battle, while Middlesbrough will be keen to improve on their fourth place and leapfrog City into third.

West avoided a potential banana skin at Cockermouth last week for a 18-7 win. The home side were desperate to claim their first win of the season,  and came up against a West side missing five of the team which ran Percy Park so close the previous week.

Those players are back from watching England at Twickenham -  including skipper Ryan Painter who was not happy to find himself in one of the experimental "no-alcohol" rows. He reclaims  the arm band from Chris Atkins who once again produced a Man of the Match performance last week. That included spotting  the space on the left which led to his side’s vital second try.

Hooker Aidan Jackson-Smith was also outstanding throughout that game,  and he’ll pack down with the returning Liam Pennick and Adam Hutchinson. Jake Linighan also returns to partner the ever-present Ollie Webster with Will Corbett providing second row cover from the bench.

With Jay Corbett carrying a long-term injury the back row is now settled with Atkins at No. 8 and the hard-tackling Connor McLurg and lively Isaac Robinson on the flanks. The latter’s sharp rugby brain made West’s first try last week as he quickly tapped from a scrum penalty to send in scrum half Matty Baggs for his first league try. Baggs will be providing backs cover this week.

Olli Connolly also returns from Twickenham and slots back in at fly half with Will Hilditch and Lewis Scott continuing their blossoming partnership in the centres.

Max Tennant is also back but, with Jacob Wood injured,  Matt Siddle continues on the opposite wing with Sam Knight continuing to impress at full back.

The Stags had been due to host Middlesbrough II’s but instead are off to take on Percy Park. They'll feature an interesting looking back-row with Tom Roberston starting the game following his shoulder operation.

He'll be alongside Charlie Kay, who has impressed for the first team this season,  and the powerful Nick Bennions who made his first team debut in the closing minutes at Cockermouth with some effect. In doing so  he became the 38th player to wear the first team shirt this season.