YMCA again show a string of enforced changes as they prepare to do battle with unbeaten leaders Sale in National III North at Laund Hill on Saturday.

Underdogs YM are without the likes of props Sam Slater and Josh Wrafter for the clash (3.00), while Tom Sharrock and Ed Barber are also unavailable through injury.

It means head coach Mark Whitehead is still waiting to fill the bench for a match in which, following the 16-16 draw at Wirral, second-bottom YMCA are looking to record their first win since promotion.

“We normally raise our game against the big sides and when the odds don’t look to be favouring us, and that’s the situation this weekend,” said Whitehead, whose men lost against Westoe and Firwood Waterloo before the draw at Wirral.

“There are lots of changes in the side, but we will be going out there positively and looking to create an upset – so I think it’s a good challenge for us.

“We should probably have won at Wirral, but this is another chance and I expect it to be an attractive game.

“Sale have spent lots of money, started well and like to spin the ball out wide, so we are under no illusions it’s going to be a tough task, but we are at home and looking forward to it.”

YMCA: Dyke (Stu), Hill, Moore, Bell, Housley, Lumb, Hodge, Whitehead, Wilson, Clarke, Bulloch, Dalby, Ryder, Van Rooyen, Stead. Bench: Murphy, Willans, A.N.Other.