Huddersfield RU are raring to go as they aim to make it 18 wins in a row at Firwood Waterloo.
Following a 31-7 success over Hull last time out, Gareth Lewis’s National III North side travel to Liverpool revitalised after a weekend off (2.15).
And the head coach has made some key changes to the unbeaten team.
Youngster Harvey Keighley-Payne, who played a part in the Yorkshire Cup victory over Sheffield earlier in the season and has caught Lewis’s eye with fantastic displays for the Falcons, makes his first start in the league as open-side flanker.
Lewis explained: “Harvey has worked incredibly hard since joining us in the off season and has been one of the stand-out players in the Falcons every week.
“I’ve every confidence he’ll make the step up.”
Meanwhile, Adam Tamanis returns from a calf injury as prop after months on the sidelines.
Nick Rhodes also starts in the second row alongside Adam Malthouse as Austen Thompson drops to the bench with Alex Battye and Elliot Knight.
“Lewis added: “Adam has worked hard in rehab and it’s great that we can rotate our props around, giving him game time once again.
“All the props have been excellent in recent games.”
Field have been spurred further as nearest challengers Rossendale dropped a bonus point in last weekend’s 19-17 victory against Cleckheaton, which means the Lockwood Park men are 2 points clear at the top of the table.
“The challenge for the lads is to constantly recreate the momentum to put in good performances,” added the coach.
With frequent breaks it’s not ideal, but it does mean we are fresh, relatively injury free and looking forward to the game at Firwood Waterloo.
“This week we’ve given real focus on areas we thought we could improve on when we played Hull.”
In the reverse fixture, Huddersfield produced a stunning 85-14 victory at Lockwood Park in one of their best performances of the season – with lead talisman Elliot Hodgson piling up an incredible six tries in the match.
Since then, Firwood Waterloo have managed to put a few wins on the board as they look to escape from second-bottom of the standings.
They ended a six-match losing streak when they won 15-13 at home to Ilkley last weekend, and although they’ve won only two at home (and three all season), Lewis knows his side cannot afford to be complacent on Merseyside.
“Firwood Waterloo got a great result against Ilkey last time out so they will no doubt have increased confidence and, as a result, we will not be taking them lightly,” he said.
“We must impose ourselves on the game early and make sure we play with tempo, accuracy and physicality.”
Huddersfield: Lewis Workman, Danny Grainger, Elliot Hodgson, Tom Owen, Brandon Conway, Chris Bell, Joel Hinchliffe, Nick Sharpe (captain), Harvey Keighley-Payne, Lewis Bradley, Nick Rhodes, Adam Malthouse, Reuben Pollard, Fran Entressengle, Adam Tamanis. Replacements – Alex Battye, Austen Thompson, Elliot Knight.
