FURNESS and Hawcoat Park both face away trips for their first competitive matches of the season when the 2017/18 rugby union campaign gets under way tomorrow.

Hawcoat make the trip to play Burnley in the North Lancashire/Cumbria League, with their hosts having been promoted last season from the Lancashire leagues after winning a play-off.

Meanwhile, Furness get the season under way when they make the long journey to Silloth in the Cumbria Cup, with the prize for the winners being a home tie against Carlisle in round one.

And closer to home, Hawcoat's second team are in action when they welcome Vale of Lune IV in the Raging Bull North West League opener.

SILLOTH V FURNESS

This week sees the Blues of Barrow on the road in the only preliminary round tie of this season's Cumbria Cup and Furness could not believe their bad luck at being drawn away to Cumbria’s furthest outpost of rugby, recently relegated Silloth.

Captain Corne Els has a few players away on holiday and a couple of injuries from the warm-up games to contend with, but travels with a promising squad up the M6.

The enthusiastic and latest signing Ryan Potgeiter will team up with James Tyson in the second row, with Els, Rhys Studt and Will Mallinson making up a mobile back row which is more than capable of contending the loose.

With players still to return, it is youngster Jordan Ashton who starts at scrum-half behind the mobile forwards in front of him.

The pace out wide comes from wingers Ryan Cunningham and Rhys Humphreys, who will look to carry on where they left off last season with some pace in attack and strong defence.

Sam Attard, at full-back, provides the rear guard defence with his ever improving performances in the 15 a side code. A strong bench includes Joe Mallinson, who has yet to shake off a shoulder injury, and utility player Alex Mason.

With several players ready to return to the squad over the next couple of weeks Furness are optimistic about their chances.

BURNLEY V HAWCOAT PARK

It is the first league game of the season for Hawcoat as they travel to newly-promoted Burnley in the Lancashire/Cumbria League.

Skipper Brad Morrow leads the side, but it will be a tough task for a team with a few absentees. He will be joined in the back row by Mike Lightfoot and former prop Jason Priss.

Ash Mowatt and Callum Ramsey will look to get the pack running from the start with front three of John Donnan, Adam Grainger and Andy Kent never far from the action.

Johnny Burrows returns at scrum-half after long term injury and teams up with fly-half James Howden.

The back line and the bench has not been finalised as yet, but it could see Rodni Odandi out wide with Chris Burns and Grady Slater in the centres.

Exciting prospect Blain Marwood comes into the side at full-back and new recruit Alfie White makes his debut for the club.

HAWCOAT PARK II V VALE OF LUNE IV

A squad of 20 takes to the field tomorrow as Hawcoat look to take Raging Bull North West League Division Four by the scruff of the neck.

They are well-placed to start strongly, with Paul Woodburn, Harrison O'Brien and Joe Rea always on hand to take the ball in for the team cause.

Mark Hall looks to start this week after an impressive pre-season, as do Josh Vial, Matt Robson and new member Mike Gibson, whose experience will be invaluable this season.

Scott Garnett will lead the back line from scrum-half with fellow half back Euan James looking to play his expansive game.

Dave Wynne controls the game from centre and could be joined by Matt Bettney in what looks like an exciting partnership. Ethan Vial returns to the team, as do Jackson Glynn and Austin Meadows.

Dan Hayes will want to get a shirt on the wing, with Charlie Butterworth and Ted Jackson looking to boost the side. Conor Doherty throws his hat into the ring, with vice-captain Peter Jennens bringing up the rear.