Douglas Rugby Club welcome Widnes today (September 14) in a 1:30pm Regional Two North West clash at Port-e-Chee.
Both sides will be looking to improve on opening round defeats.
Widnes lost at home to Crewe & Nantwich while Douglas were nilled at Waterloo, and there’s certainly some overall tinkering for Douglas coach Phil Cringle to consider.
Match Preview
Up front not so much, although Markl-Ferns pulled up with an injury last week and will need a fitness test.
New caps Gihard Visagie and Harry Cartwright settled straight in, and skipper Blake Snell, Ralph Clarke and Liam Kirkpatrick looked lively at Waterloo.
With flanker Mark Oldfield coming up to speed, Richard Bell available and Conor Garland a growing power, the scrum looks steady.
Out wide is where the conundrums may surface, as Harry Hewson returns and Luca Simmons looked to be recovered from injury with a second-half appearance off the bench last Saturday.
The abilities of Brendan Kelly, scrum-half last week, and Josh Duncan at number 10 brings a surplus of talent, with Kyle Martin and Luca Simmons vying for spots nearer the scrum.
Cal Dentith and Charlie Henthorn did enough to stay in contention, and if newcomer James Ross is declared fit, the wherewithal to unleash Sam McCord looks to be in place.
November Widnes Thriller
Douglas and Widnes last met in the 2016/17 season when Widnes won at Heath Rd in a 31-24 November thriller, but as Douglas surged to promotion, the April return at a sodden Port-e-Chee was a comprehensive 27-3 win.
Only the three musketeers Carl Markl-Ferns, Liam Kirkpatrick and Simon Hoddinott remain from the promoted crew, and still the odds are on Douglas to ignite their season.
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