HUDDERSFIELD have not savoured a National II North victory in their last nine League outings, and the club’s Director of Rugby Mark Sowerby is anxious to end that slide and start the second half of their programme with a win.

Indeed, their last win (apart from the Yorkshire Cup victory over Cleckheaton in November) came against Fylde, whom they beat 22-15 at Lockwood Park on October 3. And tomorrow they play the return fixture at Lytham St Annes.

“We may be a bit ring rusty having not played now for five weeks, but on the plus side the long lay-off gives us the chance to wipe the slate clean, forget the poor run we suffered up to Christmas, and remind ourselves what a decent team we have,” said Sowerby.

“Even though we have had a bad run, we’ve not been getting smashed, so I still believe we have nothing to fear from anyone.

“Fylde is not an easy place to go because they are always decent opposition on their own ground, but all the guys are fresh and we are picking from strength tomorrow and are looking to the New Year as a new challenge.

“Donovan Van Vuuren has returned from South Africa and plays in his preferred position on the wing, and with Adam Sutcliffe, Ben Paxman and Matt Clarke we have a strong back division.

“Another bonus is the return of scrum half Damian Clayton, following an operation on his nose after a bad break. He will start on the bench tomorrow, but has declared himself fit and ready to go.”

Huddersfield: Owen; Van Vuuren, Clarke, Paxman (B), Sutcliffe; Johnson, Hinchliffe; Slater, Entressengle, Stringwell, Rhodes, Harris, Lewis, Whitehead, Hyde. Subs: Battye, Davies, Sharpe, Hinchliff, Clayton.

Nick Easter is flattered to be touted as a future England captain but believes Steve Borthwick is the right man for the job.

Borthwick’s place in England’s starting XV has been thrown into doubt thanks to the emergence of powerful Northampton lock Courtney Lawes.

Martin Johnson has handed the captain’s armband to Borthwick in all 14 of his matches since taking over as England head coach in 2008.

Nevertheless, Johnson declined to confirm whether Borthwick will captain the side for the RBS Six Nations campaign, which kicks off against Wales on February 6

“It is flattering that people think of you in that light but I would give Steve my backing for the captaincy,” said Easter. “Steve is a tremendous captain.”