Northallerton are the visitors to York's Clifton Park tomorrow, replacing Old Crossleyans who are involved in the Yorkshire competition.

In the continuing absence of Bev Bevan and with skipper Dave Dorking suspended following his sending off against Bradford and Bingley, York's front row has a new look. Gez Baldwin and Andy Smith are at prop with Si Hopkins, an Army Under-21 player, at hooker.

It is with relief that York are able to select from their Army players again following there unavailability while awaiting orders concerning travel to Kosovo. Steve Blight, a recent signing, is named in the second row alongside Dave Spanton, Stuart Scott is at wing forward, and Charlie Kama is on the bench.

Last week's surprise wins for Lymm against Driffield and Alnwick against West Park Bramhope have left York with only a glimmer of hope of avoiding relegation. York must now beat Alnwick at home and Vale of Lune and Percy Park away, while Lymm, Alnwick and Percy Park must lose their remaining games.

York were given a boost when the Yorkshire Disciplinary Committee accepted that Dave Dorking's sending off offence was clumsy rather than malicious and gave him a minimum sentence - suspending him until 5th April. He will only miss the Alnwick match.

Ahead of their vital Yorkshire Three fixture at Skipton next week, and not wanting to risk injury to key players, York RI send a mixture of first and second teamers to fulfil their non-league fixture at Bradford Salem tomorrow.

Rather than take only one team to Hartlepool Athletic tomorrow, Nestl Rowntree play a re-arranged game at Percy Road against Pocklington Pilgrims.

Divided loyalties of two regular Rowntree first teamers - Jim Baldwin and Ashley Walters - takes them in different directions tomorrow, Baldwin heading for Murrayfield and the Scotland v Ireland international, while Walters prefers England's Grand Slam bid at Twickenham.

Andrew Springay, a sixth former at St Peter's School, York, has been selected for the starting line-up for England against France at Twickenham on March 27 in the opening Under-18 group match of the Five Nations competition.

Subsequent matches are against Ireland on April 3, Scotland on April 7, and Wales on April 17.

He has been training every weekend with the squad at Castlecroft.

Pocklington School hosts five finals in the Yorkshire Schools' Rugby day tomorrow, followed by the Pocklington School invitation sevens tournament on Sunday.

The hosts will have a keen interest in the middle of the five Saturday showdowns.

In the under-15s final for the Ian Briars Cup, starting at noon, Pocklington have a derby battle against Hull side Hymers.

Schools from across the county will take part in the invitation sevens on Sunday from 12.15pm to 3.15pm.

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