Cross-Pennine double is awaiting Preston Grasshoppers

Despite winning two of their first four games, Otley are one place and one point behind Hoppers as they have failed to pick up a single bonus point so far. Preston have collected five to be 11th in the table. But Hoppers head coach Paul Arnold said: “There are no easy games in National Two North. We have got to be on top of our game every week.”

With Scott Jordan facing time out with ankle ligament damage, Brad Cave makes his first start at full-back for Hoppers.

Jack Edwards comes into the back-row, with Ally 
Murray moving up to lock, and Alex Ward is on the bench 
after a week on loan at 
Rossendale.

Following last week’s abandoned home game with Kirkby Lonsdale, Vale of Lune travel to Ilkley.

They make three changes to the starting XV which was leading Kirkby Lonsdale 15-5 when the game was called off due to the injury to a visiting player. The game has been rescheduled for next weekend.

Charlie Lomas is a t fly-half, Callum Kyle in the second row and Mike Bradshaw at lock.

Fylde take on Sheffield Tigers at Ansdell.

Hoppers: Cave; Spence, Stott, Fitzpatrick, Trueman; Davidson, Gough; Mabaya, Millea, Altham, Procter, Murray, Edwards, Trippier, Lamprey. Replacements: Wilkinson, Johnson, Arnold, Squirrell, Ward.

Vale: J Dorrington; Jacques, Owens, B Dorrington, Hall; Lomas, Swarbrick; Bradshaw, Powers, Pillow, Kyle, Fellows, Robinson, Ayrton, Wallbank. Replacements: Tagg, Hunt, Higgin.