Last week was tough to take for the boys against Rockcliff - Adam MacDonald (concussion) and Jez Nash (fractured shoulder) lost in the first half. Pete Twentyman (17 stitches to a face wound) Alex Littlefair (broken ankle) and Alex Cokeley (possible broken hand) injured in the second half. All of that probably hurts more than the loss as out go the club captain, vice captain and an ex club captain.

Training on Tuesday was about lifting our spirits, understanding that injuries create opportunities for others to shine and take the lead. In addition, we discussed that our work ethic must be better than Saturday's rather lacklustre outing.

Shaun Stewart will take over captaincy whilst Tom Cox will be asked to be vice captain in the short term.

1st xv squad to play Boro on Saturday at 1415 is Josh Stacey, Daniel Shuttleworth, Luke Menzfeld, Darren Kelly, Tom Cox, Andy Hall, Louis Matthews, George Bambrick, Lewis Chater, Sam Davey, Shaun Stewart, Eoghan Phillips, Jack Hearn, Sam Bird, Ben Wollerton, Tom Dias, Ross Radford, James Bass.

The absence of our club captain gives Luke Menzfeld a starting opportunity and there are further changes in the pack. Darren Kelly, Louis Matthews and Tom Cox are all available this week after missing the last fixture. Out wide the return of Jack Hearn will bolster the back line after he too was unavailable against Rockcliff.

We are looking forward to the fixture against Boro as we were competitive against them at times in our third game of the season. The issue being we went 24 points down in the first 15 mins ! Boro have a strong 10/12/13 combination as well as a flyer on the wing in Sean Moloney (brother of ex Novo - Aedan Moloney)

If we work hard for each other and make our tackles we are more than capable of causing an upset. We never roll over at home and Boro will have to earn every point they score.

Up the Vos !