AFTER England and Australia have crossed swords in the World Cup final, there will be another meeting of old rivals at Percy Road on Saturday afternoon.

Pocklington and York RI go head-to-head in an eagerly-anticipated Yorkshire Three derby that looks a tough one to call.

The home side go into the game fourth in the table having lost just two games and are the division's top scorers with 295 points.

RI are two places behind after three defeats and have scored only 116 points.

But that gives little indication of form on the day as Pocklington have been scoring tries for fun against the lower sides in the division while RI have won a couple of cliffhangers against the leading contenders.

Andy Kirby will return for Pocklington at scrum-half after recovering from a leg problem but John Ainslie is likely to sit out the game because of a stomach muscle injury.

Number eight Nathan Ashman could be back for RI after a spell on the sidelines because of injury.

Supporters can also make a day of it with the clubhouse open from 8.30am for the World Cup final.

Harrogate play host to lowly Newbury in National Two and will make one enforced change from the side that started last week's victory over Rosslyn Park.

Paul Clark left the field with a groin injury in that game and has not recovered so Matthew Boyle, who replaced him against Rosslyn, will once more partner brother Andrew in Harrogate's second row.

Second-placed Harrogate will be looking for their fifth successive victory against a Newbury team who have lost their last six league games, having started the season with back-to-back wins.

Second row and Barbarians player Peter Taylor, who holds the record for Harrogate league appearances at 217, will be in the visitors side after moving down to Newbury with the RAF.

He will be joined by another Harrogate old boy, prop forward Rob Faulkner.

The home side currently boast National Two's leading points scorer in stand-off Lee Cholera and the division's joint-top try scorer in Jamie Baker.

A big screen and breakfast will be available at the clubhouse from 8.30am.

York travel to fellow mid-table North East Two club Stockton with club captain Peter Curtis back in the side after a two-week absence because of work commitments.

Curtis' return will mean Brad McDonald and Matt Halifax will fight it out for the other second row spot with the loser taking a place on the bench.

Outside centre Chris McDonald also faces a late fitness test on an ankle strain.

The club will be open from 9am for the World Cup final on the big screen.

For their difficult looking Yorkshire One trip to ambitious Huddersfield YMCA, Selby start with Shaun Austerfield at centre in place of Andy Gabel who reverts to flanker as Dave Christison is unavailable.

Mark Tomlinson starts at prop for the first time this season in place of Ian Copperwheat who drops to the bench this week. Paul Gabel, normally the first choice prop, is unavailable.

Duncan Phillips fills in at Number 8 in place of an absent Kevin Lowery. Hamish Burns retains his place at stand-off so Toby Pemberton is on the bench for the second week in a row. John Hick takes his place on the bench as the third substitute.

Having lost four fixtures in succession, Selby need to get back to winning ways or could find themselves isolated in 11th place in the league going into the New Year.

Second-placed Malton and Norton will field an unchanged side from their last outing when they travel to Halifax team Old Crossleyans, who are currently fourth.

Malton lie just one point behind table-toppers Pontefract.

Updated: 08:50 Friday, November 21, 2003