One bit of good news is that Tonesy has shaken off his hamstring strain and starts in the back row alongside Tim Sawyer and Ed Britton.

One other player who may not make it is Paul Rudd whose wife is expecting a baby at any moment.

The coach thought he had a number options when Thommo broke the bad news. But it turned out that possible replacements Paul Moss and Tom Steele hadn't returned their registration forms.

One player who is fit - and getting fitter - is Mark Cholmondeley who starts at prop. Stu Bennett will have to be content with his role as a second half impact player.

West: Tom Rance, Martin Todd, Andrew Hare, Allan Milne, David Mullen, Davy Tighe, Darren Thomas, Mark Cholmondeley, Brett Cullinane, Carlo Robinson, Paul Rudd, Andrew Davies, Henry Tones, Ed Britton, Tim Sawyer capt].

Reps: Stuart Bennett, Michael Geritz, Carl Miller.

Sandal are about the only side in the leagues that we know something about as we have both slipped from grace together. They have veteran Mark Hardcastle at fly half but have not named their two new props - Rod Latham and Andy Wilson in the squad. They do have new player coach Dave Senior in the back row alongside young No 8 Gareth Burns who is with the Leeds Tykes Academy.

Sandal Peter Froggett, Dave Chester, Danny Mitchell, Rich Smithson, Davis Ell, Mark Hardcastle, Ali Youden, Brad Raison, Jon Sewell, Andy Clarke, James Riley, Ben Wheeler, Dom Varley, Dave Senior, Gaz Burns

Reps: Danny Wild, Andy Blackhurst, Lee Cramner.

As you can see from the line up which lost at Brinkburn towards the end of last season they have quite a few new faces:

Sandal last season :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.