That means he has missed training and, as a result, Stabs has decided to start with Tommy on the bench.

The veteran has been doing a tremendous job for the team this season and has scored some fine tries. No doubt he'll figure at some stage.

Mark Thompson makes his first start of the season following his knee injury and teams up alongside Allan Milne in the centre. Cousin Phil has returned from his round the world trip to make his first start on one wing, with Gareth Kerr on the other. The fast improving Tom Rance, who has a tremdous boot in his left foot, reverts to full back, which is no reflection on David Mullen who has performed admirably there as a stand-in.

Darren Thomas will be at scrum half as Davy Tighe is still injured.

The front five will be the usual suspects. Paul Rudd may not be the biggest second row but he's moved up there with his usual quiet determination and no little skill. He has not yet missed a game this season and I'd put him on my list when considering Player of the Year!

Ed Britton, Stu Bennett and Tim Sawyer will be in the back row which means that Henry Tones is still suffering "jet-lag" from his trip to Bangkok and will be on the bench. No doubt he'll be itching to get on.

Sandal have experienced similar problems to ourselves over the past few season .. ..and the two clubs have become friendly as a result!

They have had six points deducted for failing to make away fixtures and have had back to back hammerings by Darlington in the past couple of weeks.

One of their few highlights this season was their victory over us in December. Stabs could have won it with a last minute penalty that was inches from the mark. We were poor on the day but still should have won.

With the prospect of avoiding relegation still very much alive we have everything to play for while Sandal are already resigned to the drop and a season building their squad back up.

In December their Aussie fly Havelock caused us some problems but he won't be playing. Instead their very own John Stabler, veteran Mark Hardcastle, will be at 10.

Tha game will be in memory of West stalwart David Butcher who died earlier this season. There will be a collection for the Hartlepool Hospice and his family are donating a trophy for the Most Improved Player of the Year which will be presented for the first time tomorrow.

West: Tom Rance, Phil Thompson, Allan Milne, Mark Thompson, Gareth Kerr, John Stabler, Darren Thomas, John Painter [capt], Brett Cullinane, Carl Robinson, Paul Rudd, Andrew Davies, Stuart Bennett, Ed Britton, Tim Sawyer.

Reps: Tommy Barff, Henry Tones, Mark Baggs

Sandal:15 Peter Froggett 14 Dave Chester 13 Ben Brindley 12 Matt Blake 11 Dave Eli 10 Mark Hardcastle 9 Ben Wheeler 1 Brad Raison 2 Gary Swift [capt] 3 Dion Palmer 4 Lee Norris 5 James Riley 6 Jules Brown 7 Addy Marshall 8 Tim Knapp

16 Rob Thorn 17 Tim Wicks 18 Steve Blackhurst