It’s the return of an old rivalry this afternoon, as the Blues of Furness take on the Maroons of Hawcoat Park at the Strawberry Grounds.

It’s been a number of years since this fixture has taken place with something at stake due to the teams playing in different leagues, but with the restructuring of the leagues due to Lancashire side not wanting to travel north to Cumbria, we have the opportunity to see it once again.

With a new coaching team and some new faces, Furness will be looking to take the spoils in what is always a tough and keenly-contested game.

The Mallinson brothers, Will and Joe, will be pivotal in the game for the hosts, along with Corne Els and Ben Hughes.

Iestyn and Rhys Humphries are also home from university, so they are likely to get the nod in the back line.

Amongst Furness’ old guard, Karl Benn and Paul Dean will be looking to roll back the years with Andy Brannon more than a handful in the loose.

Dillon Taptutu will never be far from the action along with a returning Charlie Martin.

There are a few changes to the Hawcoat first team this season with new faces and youth being key to development and keeping the club running two sides week in, week out.

Injuries to a few key individuals from last season sees the like of Scott Kaighan and Ash Mowatt sitting out this season, but the team must keep moving in the right direction.

The addition of former Fleetwood prop Scott Dobbie is going to be a massive factor for the side with his experience along with the return of Alfie White, whose dynamic play will help at the breakdown and in the loose.

The experience of Brad Morrow and Grady Slater will keep the side moving in the right direction.

The backs have a few regulars in it, led by former Furness player George Smith, who is sure to get a great reception at the Strawberry Grounds.

With no Chris Burns this week at centre, Jason Milby is likely to take up his role in the side with his partner in crime to be confirmed along with Rodney Odandi on the outside.

The second string at Hawcoat Park are also looking healthy with the club aiming to select a strong side from really good numbers to mix in with a few stalwart’s in Ryan Brown, Martin Kennedy and Jay Crowe.

Peter Matthews will continue to terrorise teams alongside new faces Lewis Phillips, Jay Hill, James Dunne, Tim Spence and Tim Bielaczyc from the USA.

Scott Garnett will be distributing the ball to the backs for the likes of Dan Hayes, James Armitstead and Keenan Cotton to collect and get over the whitewash.