The Firsts are off to league leaders Northern with the memory of the first encounter still fresh in the mind, while the Stags are off to third placed Stockton Saracens keen to cement their place at the top of CaNDY Division Two South.

The first meeting with Northern was back in September at Brinkburn and in their best half of rugby, so far, West raced info a 21-0 lead. The try bonus point already in the bag when they turned round 26-12 to the good.

However, the tackle rate dropped as Northern fought back to get themselves in the game. Entering the final minute, the scores were level, but home supporters thought the game was won when Matt Siddle stroked over a penalty.

However, there was time for a restart which was fluffed with Northern flanker Paul Evans alert and able to make his way to the line. Did he manage a touchdown? With a mass of bodies in there the score was given and Northern won 38-36.

So, West head to Tyneside with a point to prove against a side which has lost only once so far and that was to second placed Boro.

Last week’s team have thawed out and there’s only a couple of changes. In the pack Jake Linighan has recovered from illness and starts alongside the in-form Will Corbett while Connor McLurg has picked up a knock so Owen Nugent starts in the back row. Liam Pennick is also unavailable with Adam Hutchinson returning to the starting line-up.

The backs are unchanged with Alex Barker, Will Hilditch and Tom Robertson providing cover.

The Stags  will have Jonny Wray back in the second row with Tom Shaw, Charlie Kay and Nick Bennions forming an impressive back row.