Taking his place in the squad for the first time is Cramlington Rockets U15, Kieran Ridley. Part of the Rockets championship winning U14s team last year, Kieran joined the North East Academy for the 2015 season as part of the U15s squad. Having impressed in training, winger Kieran has been rewarded with a place in the matchday squad.

Speaking of his ascent to the regional squad, Rockets U15s Coach, Danny Gilroy said: “It is nice to see a young, laid back lad like Kieran take his place in the Academy side as his hard work and natural talent has seen him rise up through the North East ranks. I am sure he will relish the opportunity and it will be the first of many chances he will get to prove himself at the highest levels.”

This is the fourth playing opportunity of 2015 for the Under 16s who have previously faced their Regional Academy counterparts in Cumbria and the Midlands as well as travelling to Bradford Bulls last time out.

Their performances so far have been pleasing and the players will be hoping to perform well again tomorrow against what will be stiff opposition in Hull KR. What is most pleasing is that there are eight community clubs represented in the North East Thunder side.

For all coaches in the North East there is a Coach CPD workshop at 11-12 led by Hull KR’s Jason Netherton and the North East’s Lee Crooks. Please contact northeastacademy@rfl.co.uk to book a space.

The squad for tomorrow is:

1, Lewis Burbidge - Gateshead Storm
2, Jack Quinn - Whitley Bay Barbarians
3, Adam Bielby - Durham Demons
4, Arron McBride - Catterick Crusaders
5, Nathan Turner - Gateshead Storm
6, Dan Coates - Durham Demons
7, Haydn Williamson - Durham Demons
8, Adam Thornton - Gateshead Storm
9, Ryan Jones - Gateshead Storm
10, Dene Norman - Peterlee Pumas
11, Jed Charlton - Gateshead Storm
12, Matty Conley - Durham Demons
13, Sam Stephenson - Gateshead Storm
14, Rory Nettleton - Jarrow Vikings
15, Connor Drinkwater - Peterlee Pumas
16, Joe Smith-Millican - Gateshead Storm
17, Nat Kitching - Durham Tigers
18, Mark McCallan - Gateshead Storm
19, Kieran Ridley - Cramlington Rockets
20, Anthony Dyne - Peterlee Pumas