The flanker has been told by the Newcastle Falcons that he will now benefit from exposure to senior rugby and Dave Stubbs is anxious to see him in action.
The games against Rovers, together with a hastily arranged friendly at home to Horden on Friday December 30th [kick off 2.00], will provide that opportunity.
The squad for the Boxing Day game includes last week's team, plus the two Colts, and players knocking on the day such as Williamson and Henderson. As usual there will be a seven man bench to cover for the effects of too much Christmas pud, and to give as many players as possible the opportunity of taking part in a great tradition.
No doubt it will be the typical hard fought enounter played in the excellent spirit which has marked all of the recent meetings between two sets of players who, for the most part, know and respect each other, and frequently socialise together.
Both sides come into the game after some excellent reults. Rovers have flair players who can turn a game with strong running from their own half but in recent weeks we have also suddenly turned on the style running in bagfuls of tries. It would be nice to see a high scoring encounter but don't bank on it!