Fylde make three changes in their starting line-up for their trip to Sheffield RUFC at Abbeydale Park on Saturday (ko 14.15). With Tom Carleton and Tom Forster unavailable, a new centre partnership is formed as former Stonyhurst College student and Ireland U’18s cap Freddie Reader joins Alex Clayton in midfield. Sam Carleton and Ben Gould return to the starting XV. There are no changes in the pack. Adam Lanigan joins the replacements.
Both clubs have very similar records so far this season, Fylde placed in 5th position in the National Two (North) division and Sheffield in 7th just three points behind. Two of their four defeats, v league leaders Leeds Tykes (35-40) and at Billingham (16-14) have been very close and they are proving, as last season, a very competitive and gritty squad. So the Lancastrians will be hard pressed to come away with points.
Fylde achieved a double victory last season, 5-24 at Abbeydale Park and 45-14 at the Woodlands.