THE next 12 months could see the most significant spell in rugby union - not just nationally, but at a domestic level as well.

The highlight will no doubt be the Rugby World Cup in Australia - the pinnacle of any player's career - and for once the northern hemisphere could, just could, have something to shout about.

Clive Woodward's England charges entered the new year on top of the rugby tree - with their historic hat-trick over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the autumn at last giving the home fans a glimmer of hope of finally breaking the southern hemisphere stranglehold.

But Woodward, whose first steps into the world of rugby union came at Easingwold School, knows it will be no easy task for his troops in October and November.

Joining Woodward in flying the local flag in Australia, will be ex-Harrogate defensive coach Dave Ellis, who now works with the French squad, while the Tadcaster-born Easterby brothers, Simon and Guy, will be hoping that they can keep their names in the Irish selectors' minds.

But first, all of them will have to tackle the rigours of the Six Nations Championship with England, France and Ireland all confident of their chances of a successful start to the year.

However, on the local stage, success could be around the corner for a number of the clubs in the area. York and Malton and Norton are both pushing for serious honours in their respective leagues, while the challenges of Harrogate and Selby cannot be written off just yet.

York entered today's fixture against Yorkshire One leaders Bridlington in second spot and looking a good bet for promotion, while hanging on to their coat tails are Selby, who could find themselves challenging their Clifton Park rivals if they can repeat the run of form at the start of 2002 that saw them go from bottom to fifth spot.

Looking to join the fun in Yorkshire One are Malton and Norton, who lie just four points off the leading two - West Park Bramhope and Keighley - but with a game in hand.

Malton are also maintaining their run towards a second Twickenham appearance in three years in the Powergen Junior Vase, with the club currently in the last 16 of the prestigious competition.

Harrogate could finally end their wait to break into the second tier of English rugby, with Ralph Zoing's men closing in on a National Two promotion spot.

Meanwhile, the area's other two sides - York RI and Pocklington - may not have enjoyed the best of times of late, but they are looking to turn the corner.

After dropping down to Yorkshire Three and starting the new campaign without a coach, York RI have recruited the services of Chris Leathley - the man who guided Morley up the standings - to see them return to winning ways.

One-time Rugby World team of the year, Pocklington, may have fallen on hard times, but the Percy Roaders have not given up hope yet, especially as they have the ability to produce a high calibre of junior players, such as the Allen and Webber brothers.

THE anticipation at Sandhill Lane is mounting ahead of the biggest date in Selby's calendar.

The club's Stars In Their Eyes competition has become the highlight of the social year at Selby and with the third annual contest set for February 1, players and social members have been getting their costumes ready and their singing voices in tune - from first team skipper Jason Cicero to press officer Reg Phillips.

And the brave few who are willing to give the contest a shout - literally in some cases - can now pick their songs as the organiser David 'Captain Fun' Bramley has published the song sheets.

HARROGATE'S rampaging back five forward John Dudley was sitting out the first of two matches today after receiving a ban from the RFU.

The former Rotherham star has picked up a two-match suspension after receiving six yellow cards since February 2, 2002.

That means Dudley missed today's match against Sedgley Park and next Saturday's tie against Stourbridge.

Creber's calming influence

MALTON and Norton may be bracing themselves to go Twickenham mad for the second time in three years, but captain Chris Creber is not letting it go to his players' heads.

Winning has become a habit for the Gannock-based side in recent years, with their 2001/2 success in the RFU Junior Vase followed up by promotion last season and as the club enter the new year they are on course to complete both these season.

Malton are well-placed in third in Yorkshire Two, while on January 18 they take on Bradford Salem - 23-6 victors over Ponteland in the fifth round on Saturday - in the last 16 of the Vase, now sponsored by Powergen.

However, with the success has come an extra pressure on the squad to keep on churning the results out and Creber, who has scored 13 tries in 17 appearances this season, knows his side will face a tough start for 2003.

"Bradford Salem is probably the worse possible draw for us," Creber told the Evening Press. "We've always had tough games against them.

"They've a good forward base and good backs to match and are doing well in Yorkshire Three this season.

"We found it difficult against them last year and although we beat them twice, both were close games.

"If we can play to our potential through the competition I think we can win it, but I can say that now then we go out against Salem and get beat.

"A lot of the old fellas at the club are saying we should go on to win it again, so there is a lot of expectation on us.

"The sides from Yorkshire tend to the hardest, with Hemsworth and Salem, who have won this Vase twice, both sure to fancy their chances of going to Twickenham."

Despite the lure of another potential headline-grabbing trip to Twickenham, Creber has a second successive promotion topping his list, but he won't be content just with Yorkshire One.

The 29-year-old fly-half said: "Promotion really has got to be our aim as it is something we can keep working towards.

"It is nice to do well in the Vase, but in any cup competition you can't guarantee any win and could be out after one game.

"As a squad, we want to play at the highest level and there is no reason why we can't reach North Two East in the next five years."

ONE of the stars of Malton's Twickenham triumph, Phil Ryan, has returned to the club after a six-month sabbatical back in his native Australia.

The 28-year-old flanker, who joined Malton at the same time as former Sydney University team-mate Creber, scored a try in the memorable 36-20 demolition of Hoylake in the Junior Vase final in April 2001.

Ryan parted company with the club at the start of the season to head back to his hometown of Holbrook to visit family.

But, Ryan is now back at the Gannock and looking for a long stay after getting engaged to his English girlfriend.

Updated: 11:59 Saturday, January 04, 2003