Rugby returns this weekend after the Rugby World Cup final break last week and Fleetwood welcome newly promoted Oldham to Melbourne Road. Fleetwood will look to continue where they left off with a 5 point win over Upper Eden two weeks ago which secured a very impressive 2nd place in the league table. With this in mind this weekend’s visitors Oldham will be no easy game indeed, they themselves have had a mix bag of results but a team that can take a victory away from table toppers Bennies at the moment are a team to be taken seriously.

With a few regular players unavailable this week for a variety reason including Tom Evans and Jack Crompton who have now started their travelling adventure and won’t be seen for the rest of the season (we wish them all the best), Fleetwood still manage to produce a very strong 18 with bags of talent all over the pitch.

The front row see’s Jamie Moran and the ever impressive Daniel Atkin joined by Asa Watson who has now returned from a lengthy injury and is raring to go. The 2nd row see’s workhorse Rob Brookfield and this week Captain Ricky Newton returning to the pack.

The back row proves week in week out to be the biggest selection headache as Fleet are lucky enough this season to have so many options. With this said Woodburn and the selection team have gone with ‘The Hefty’ Dale Thompson and Daniel Tomlinson on the flanks supported by the ‘Ageing’ but impressive player/coach Steve Woodburn at 8 who will be looking to add to his try count this week.

The 9 and 10 partnership of Paul Bamber and Karl Bowling remains the same again this week and is a combination that is gelling together week on week and becoming a key part to Fleet’s success this season.

This week’s centre partnership see’s two dangerous players in both attack and defence. Tom Wilson will take up the 12 position who will look to release Zac Coultas at 13 whenever possible. Oldham will need to at the top of their game to keep these two players quiet throughout the 80 minutes.

The back 3 see’s speedster Kris Phillips on one wing and Luke ‘Back door Boogie’ Wilson on the other who himself like Woodburn will look to add to his impressive try count already this season. This week see’s the now regular 1st teamer Brad Stapleton at 15, a position which again the selection team are excited to see him in.

The replacements see’s the ever reliable James Lilley joined by Harrison Lumb and a last minute call up for new boy Owen Brown who has been impressing not only in training but also in the 2nd and 3rd team so far this season and thoroughly deserves his place amongst the 18 this week.

1. Jamie Moran
2. Danny Atkin
3. Asa watson
4. Rob Brookfield
5. Ricky Newton (C)
6. Daniel Tomlinson
7. Dale Thompson
8. Steve Woodburn
9. Paul Bamber
10. Karl Bowling
11. Kris Phillips
12. Tom Wilson
13. Zac Coultas
14. Luke Wilson
15. Brad Stapleton

16. James Lilley
17. Harrison Lumb
18. Owen Brown