Match Preview

For the first time this season, a Home match against a team in the lower half of the table, after previously facing teams at the time in 2nd, 1st, 5th and 6th.

Birkenhead Park currently have the last relegation place, in twelfth. They will therefore be keen to close the current ten point gap on those immediately above them, as we reach the halfway point in the season

Park have eleven points so far this season, seven having come against the other teams currently in the relegation zone, but last week they got a double bonus point with a narrow loss in a high scoring game against Ilkley, whilst they have a try scoring bonus point against Harrogate, and a losing bonus point in their local derby against Wirral, their only point away from home.

TEAM : Danny Barker, Matty Houghton and Chris Downham, who were all forced off with injuries at Hull last Saturday, are named in the team. There are a number of changes. Jacob Sutton comes in at hooker for his first start, Ben Leacock returns after missing the last two games, allowing Matt Charters to move to the back row, with last weekend’s Man of the Match, Alistair Thompson, moving to the bench..
In the back division the only change is Brett Ashley makes his first start since the Billingham at the start of November, allowing Nathan Wooff to move back to fullback with Chris Park returning to the bench.
Glenn Chesher has the third spot on the bench.

WEATHER : Cold and sunny – but snow forecast for the Wasps game on Sunday afternoon.