Six of the Stags, including scrum half Tinker Williamson and fly half Paul Moss, had to stand apart from training last night because of illness.

But former teammates Paul Miller and Anth Carr will be on first team duty. Miller is likely to start while big Anth is likely to be on the prop as front row cover.

Westoe bring in one of their recent Kiwi imports in prop Nigel Beaver and have another,Brett Rudman, on the bench. Skipper Ali McConway seems to think we have a big pack and says their game plan is to get the ball out wide where Vinny Bell is lkely to be a threat in the centre.

He should know a fair bit about West as Greg Dougall is now on the coaching Squad at Westoe. Greg has put in many long hours for West and is still a regular at Brinkburn on Sunday mornings.

Our backs have been strengthened by the return of some experience in the shape of Tommy Barff, who is looking really fit after his lay off with a shoulder injury. Peter Hodgson will be in the centre with Panda back on his favoured wing. Young Toddy continues to impress and retains the 15 shirt.

West: Martin Todd, Andrew Hare, Peter Hodgson, Allan Milne, Tommy Barff, Davy Tighe, Darren Thomas, Mark Cholmondeley, Brett Cullinane, Michael Geritz, Paul Rudd, Carl Miller, Stu Bennett, Ed Britton, Tim Sawyer [capt].

Reps: Henry Tones, David Mullen, Anthony Carr.

Westoe: C Stephenson, P Hagan, V Bell, D Fairlamb, K Wilson, M Leask, B Mason, G Nesbit, N Douglas, N Beaver, P Bird, M Muchall, G Smith, D Bowyer, A McConway. Reps: B Rudman, I Parnaby, C Judson