Following the defeat against a well drilled Stockton side last weekend, Darlington RFC find themselves in a must win game against bottom of the table Sunderland RFC at their place.

Regardless that Sunderland are currently sat at the bottom of the table, Darlington are more than aware that Sunderland managed to get their first win of the season against Stockton last week proving that they are a force to be reckoned with regardless of the position they find themselves in.

Sunderland results have been rather sporadic over the season but this weeks Darlington side will be looking for a win to get them back on track.

Andy Robinson and Jack Harrild will be joined by Aaron McNeily, who is in for injured Lewis Metcalfe (hamstring) who had a blinding performance last week on the wing.

Sam Hardy is out of this weeks squad due to work commitments but flyer James Park comes back in from his extended christmas break to join player-coach Gary Beck who will wear the 12 shirt.

This seasons familiar faces at fly-half and scrum half remains the same combination, consisting of Ollie Pearse and Mark Baldwin who will continue to pull the strings for the team as they have all season.

A couple of changes up front for the forwards this week. Dan Miller comes out through family commitments and is replaced by Joe Hargreaves who was featuring in the Second XV last week. Joe goes to the bench which pushes Joe Oselton into prop with skipper Paul Shepherd and hooker Robbie Goddard. Dominic McAlorum stays in the power house joined by County 20s second row David Kilpatrick.

The back row sees the return of Colin Rogers who has been unavailable through work, he goes in at 8 and is along side last weeks debutant Chandler Webster who earned his number 6 jersey last week with a fantastic display of skills and power all around the park. Pat Casey moves from Second Row into Openside for this week.

On the bench Joe Hargreaves is with Andrew King and Callum Farrand.