Match Preview

A return to action after an extra week off for the Wasps. With Manchester unable to field a team last week and a bye awarded in the cup competition, league service is resumed this week with a trip to Broughton Park. This is a first league fixture between these two sides, and despite the absence of a handful of squad regulars, a strong side remains available. Anna Waite and Kate Birchall make a return to the matchday XV, and Rachael Smith and Allysia Hine both come into the starting line up for the first time. The bench sees the return of Kelly Friend to the matchday squad for the first time since the end of last season.

Coaches view (James Mackereth)

It's getting to that time of year now where we find resources that little bit more stretched with one thing or another, but we're still able to turn out a quality outfit to try and keep going on this good run of form. The last run out against Leigh was a pleasing one for me, they were a hugely different prospect than the side we'd seen a week earlier, and whilst they made life difficult for us, we ground out a win by sticking to our systems, making some pragmatic decisions by taking the points when they were available, and finishing the game strongly to put a stubborn team away. Both Rachael Smith and Allysia Hine got their debuts last time out, so both are rewarded with their first starts and the opportunity to push on and continue their development this week, so congratulations both. And welcome back to Kate and Anna, who come back in this week after missing out last time round, and also to Kelly Friend who we have back with us for the first time since the tail end of last season, a very useful inclusion who can help us out all across the park. I'm hoping that having a tight knit unit like this will serve us well in these tricky away days. I've no doubt this Broughton Park team will pose a threat, they're really in and around us on the league table and will pride themselves on their home form, but hopefully we can push on and keep the success going. Best of luck ladies, work hard,enjoy the day and hopefully the result will follow.