South Shields Westoe face a tough meeting against League Title chasers, Northern, this Saturday. With half an eye on their Twickenham journey, the match provides a great opportunity to further improve on their current run of good form.

Although promotion is out of reach, Westoe can still finish in a credible fourth spot in what has been a much improved and competitive league this year; however they will need to win their last two fixtures and hope that Stockton falter along the way.

More important is that they continue momentum leading up to the away fixture against Kenilworth on 20th April in the semi-final of the National Intermediate Cup.

Northern will certainly provide a huge challenge as they fight for the top spot against Durham and West Hartlepool, so will be firing on all cylinders for the win. They inflicted Westoe with their biggest loss of the season in a 7-32 performance at Wood Terrace, a result Westoe will want to overturn; a feat that is well within their capabilities when playing their best.

Westoe make just two changes in the pack with Joe McKenzie returning to the flank, Alex Wylie dropping to the bench and Raymie Elliott returning to the front row.. The back-line sees the customary changes with only fly-half, Sutherland remaining from last weeks starting line-up. Chris Judson starts at scrum-half and there's a welcome return for centre Derek Worthington who partners Jamie Preston. The back three also see returns for Paul Evans, Ross McCauley and Luke Moffett.

Kick-off is at 3.00pm at Northern’s McCracken Park, NE3 2DT

Team -

1. Lamb
2. Richards
3. Elliott
4. Younghusband
5. Kirton (c)
6. Ramsay
7. McKenzie
8. Gaff

9. Judson
10. Sutherland
11. Evans
12. Worthington
13. Preston
14. Macauley
15. Moffett

16. Kellett
17. Wylie
18, Seymour