HULL RUFC

Hull will go straight back to the East Midlands on Saturday against high flyers Loughborough in a tough match against the league leaders.

Loughborough been top of National North 2 for most of the season mainly through their try scoring with 12 bonus points for tries this year. They also have four players in the top 20 league scorers list, with centre Nathan Lambden heading the quartet with 12 tries this term. Following Hull’s 11-28 defeat at home to the students in October, Loughborough have only recorded one defeat away at Caldy and have a three point gap at the top after a comfortable defeat of Hull Ionians last week.

Hull meanwhile will be counting the cost of their loss at Leicester last week. Matt Davies was stretchered off with heavy knee damage and will certainly miss the next three games if not more. Captain Chris Murphy, who was sent off, could well opt to start his ban this week meaning he will miss at least the next two fixtures although fellow second row Dan Cook will return this Saturday after suspension. Laurence Pearce was subbed off through injury also but is set to play after getting the all clear after last Saturdays game.

The second XV will be playing at home this weekend against Scunthorpe after a well deserved victory against Old Brodleians last week at the Ferens Ground.

First XV (15:00 kickoff) from:

Andy Gravil, Scott Plevey, Laurence Pearce, Alex Piercy, Kris Renwick, Oliver Hardisty, Oliver Norman, Chris Kendra, James Ward, Alex Campbell, Guy Martinson, James Cameron, Maea David, Rob Devonshire, Dan Cook, Shaun Leaf, Neil Spence, Darren Wigg, Tevita Vaikona, Danny Smith, Kris Fullman, Ben Dorrington, Matt White, Sione Onesi

Second XV (14:15 kickoff) from:

Luke Mower, Leroy McKenzie, Chris Bailey-Gibbs, Ryan Waudby, Pete Anderson, Mark Holness, Simon Edwards, Max Alderson, Ashley Taylor, Jody Opperman, Jack Everitt, Mark Harris, Eamonn Whelan, Mark Harling, Richard Jones, Sam Taylor.