Buckle braced for another big scrap

YORKSHIRE Carnegie were shocked by the newlypromoted pack when the two sides met earlier in the season and hooker Joe Buckle is expecting more of the same today.

Third-placed Carnegie had to dig deep to claw their way back to draw 29-29 at their place in September and Buckle knows a fast start today is vital.

“They did seem very at home in the Championship straight away,” Buckle said. “In the first half they took the physical battle to us which is something we had prided ourselves on doing to other teams this season, so we really had to rally at half-time.

“The pleasing thing was that we came from quite a few points down to get a draw. Who knows, come the end of the season, those extra couple of points might really help.”

There are eight changes to the side that defeated Jersey last week. Hooker Harry Newborn, 23, makes his first league start.

After last week’s postponement at Cornish Pirates, Hartpury will finally get the chance to introduce loanees George Perkins and Sam Bedlow.

The Bristol pair will add to Hartpury’s attacking options, while Hartpury student and Gloucester Academy winger Tom Seabrook also comes in for his second league appearance of the season.

Former Bristol blindside Iain Grieve plays his first game since before Christmas, while the experienced front row trio of Dan Murphy, Will Tanner and Rupert Harden make their first starts of 2018.