With the season just a week away, Holmes has used the opportunity to try out players who have yet to have had a run thus far, including a club debut for centre Nick Smith.

Forwards	Backs
James Brodie	Will Bate (vc)
Chris Cockton (c)	Dave Bruen
Ash Cooper (vc)	Andy Crimmins
Louis Critchlow	Danny Joseph
Gareth Evans	Mike Mills
Sam Hilton	Rhys Pritchard
Tony McLaughlin	Liam Ray
Chris Mee	James Singleton
Rick Newman	Nick Smith
Gaz Pritchard
James Regan

An injury to Manny Tailor in the warm up match against Old Crossleyans and the unavailability of Ben Stubbs means that veteran Sam Hilton returns to the front row division alongside Chris Mee, Chris Cockton and Gareth Evans. Elsewhere in the forwards, Bolton welcome the return of James Regan whilst James Brodie, Gaz Pritchard and Rick Newman join the side for their first run outs of the new campaign.

In the backs, James Singleton, Mike Mills, Danny Joseph and Andy Crimmins all come in following their absences from the fixture at Old Crossleyans. Smith gets his first opportunity in the backs to allow Holmes to see all his options in action. With Doherty unavailable, the kicking duties will rest with Mike Mills.

Saturdays’ fixture will be officiated by Damian Hamilton of the Manchester and Districts Referees Society and kick off is scheduled for 3pm.