The Head Coach has no experience of a West v Rovers festive frolic in the mud but has bowed to the bitter entreaties of the likes of Tones, Bennett and Barff that they simply must be involved.

He is still taking the opportunity to give one or two lads a run out. There's an interesting experiment in the second row where Anth Carr will partner his mate Carl Miller. This extremely youthful pairing could prove interesting. Both are talented footballers with Anth adding some muscle to Carl's superb hands and athleticism.

It leaves room for John Painter to start in the front row alonsgide Brett and a returning Carlo and allows Paul Rudd to move into the back row. Garse has yet to capture the form which made him Player of the Year last season but now is the time to find it again.

Stu Bennett came through the Northern game OK following his rib injury and will be at No 8. Tones is pencilled in for the other spot.

The only change in the backs is on the wing where the ever dependable Darren Thomas starts ahead of Andrew Hare who has also been a bit below his usual high standards.

There'll be seven replacements on the bench and that will give the likes of Mark Cholmondeley the chance to show some form. Paul Miller, who was injured at the start of the season, has been looking good at inside centre for the Stags. He will be yet another Colt who makes it into the first team squad.

West: Martin Todd, Steve Black, Peter Hodgson, Paul Moss, Darren Thomas, Phil Wallis, Davy Tighe, John Painter, Brett Cullinane, Carlo Robinson, Carl Miller, Anth Carr, Paul Rudd, Henry Tones, Stu Bennett.

Reps: Mark Cholmondeley, Greg Edwards, Phil Butler, Michael Geritz, Paul Miller, Andrew Hare, Tommy Barff.