A tough test as Wirral are the visitors this weekend, and will be keen to get revenge for their unexpected home loss at the start of the season. This was just one of four losses so far this season, the others away against at Billingham and Sandal, plus inevitably Huddersfield. They sit third in the table behind Rossendale, who they beat on the opening day of the season, so will not meet again until the last game.

The win against Wirral started a sequence of five wins in a row, but only two more were added in November and December, so an opportunity to start another winning run in 2017.

TEAM : Lots of changes, mainly positional. Chris Downham returns from injury (his last game was at the end of October at Cleckheaton, at the end of the five game winning sequence), James Gough is back from his work travels, and Leo Mercer is available again, after more local work commitments. Matty Houghton also returns in the back row.

Dini Noyo moves from scrum half to right wing, with Damian Armstrong moving into the centre to join Danny Barker. On the bench Willie Hintz comes in with James Thompson, and Mark Carruthers.

Will Montgomery and Garry Holmes drop out from the back row, and Zane Butler from the back division. Josh Coyle and Jordan Johnson move from the bench to the Development team, who have a very strong team, with a number who have played for the first team on this or previous seasons.

WEATHER : There appears no threat of frost or waterlogged pitches, although fog could be a problem.

KICK OFF : 2.00pm (ignore what it says elsewhere on the website, and don’t miss a minute)