Three new faces for big kick-off: Lewis
“South Leicester have established themselves in National II over the last couple of seasons and they have a number of excellent individuals in their side.
“We are all excited by our return to this level, but we are not just going to make up the numbers.
“If we stick to our processes and every single player plays to the best of their ability, we will be a difficult side to beat.
“The new lads have integrated well into the side over the last few months.
“There are now lads with experience and this will certainly be called upon throughout the season, so we have a good balance.”
Two years ago Huddersfield got their National II North season off to a winning start by beating the then newly-promoted South Leicester 24-17 at Lockwood Park.
Unfortunately, it was one of only seven games Field would win that year and when they met for the return fixture in the Midlands on the final Saturday of the season, their relegation fate was already sealed.
South Leicester went on to win 11 of their matches, including the one against Huddersfield at home, and finish in a comfortable 12th place.
Last season they built on their solid start in the higher flight with a seventh-place finish, and they will pose a tough test.
Huddersfield: Lewis Workman, Elliot Knight, Tom Owen, Will Milner, Danny Grainger, Jonny West, Joel Hinchliffe, Alex Battye (Captain), Francis Entressengle, Adam Tamanis, Austen Thompson, Adam Malthouse, Declan Thompson, Lewis Bradley, Nick Sharpe. Replacements - Rueben Pollard, Ben Morrill, Ben Hoyle, Luke Booth, Harry Davey. HUDDERSFIELD YMCA have four players on debut for their tough trip to West Hartlepool in North I East.
Ed Black, Josh Crickmay, Tom Clough and Dom Horn are all in the starting line-up alongside player-coach Mick Piper.
And YM are delighted to have James Bell back on the first-team bench for the first time in 18 months following shoulder a reconstruction.
“We have a tough start with trips to West Hartlepool and West Leeds, but the strength of the club is that we are putting out three strong teams tomorrow and wouldn’t be far off fielding a fourth,” said director of rugby Damon Scholes.
“The squad is looking a lot stronger than last year, even though we have a handful of players still away on holiday, so we are all optimistic about how things will unfold.
“Yes, it’s a tough start because West Hartlepool missed out only in the final match of last season, having topped the division for a lot of the time, but we are all looking forward to getting back into the league challenge.
“We have trained well over the last several weeks, there is a lot of enthusiasm within the ranks at the moment and with some key signings looking to show what the are about and do well, we are geared for a positive season ahead.”
YM’s second XV face Sandal at Laund Hill (3pm) while the third XV travel to Wortley.
YMCA: Crickmay, Hill, S Dyke, Housley, Black, Tindall, Hodge, Lumb, Bradley, Piper, Bulloch, Horn, Clough, Morton, Fletcher. Replacements: Bell, Scholes, Watson.