Whitehaven are the first of Cumbria’s three professional sides into action this weekend when they play in France tonight.
After four straight home fixtures – two wins and two defeats – Haven travel to Toulouse for their first away fixture.
The French side haven’t been at their best so far – beaten at home by Swinton and losing at Bradford – but coach Jonty Gorley knows they are still one of the best teams in the Championship.
“All I’m looking for is the team to put in 80 minutes of the rugby I know they are capable of.
“Last Sunday against Batley was very disappointing and I spent am long time over the review with the players this week. There were lots there we can put right.
“We had a very useful opposed session with Wath Brow Hornets on Thursday and that’s what I would like to do more of. We’ve already had Egremont and Ellenborough in similar sessions and I’d like to do that kind of thing on a regular basis because we do get something out of it,” said Gorley.
With players unavailable to travel this week-end Gorley has named an 18-man squad with skipper Jamie Doran one of the absentees.
The travelling squad is: Ross Ainley, Brett Bailey, Jake Carter, Lucas Castle, Nathan Connell, Rio Corkill, Oscar Doran, Will Evans, Guy Graham, Lachlan Hanneghan, Connor Holliday, Ryan King, Jake Maizen, Owen McCarron, James Newton, Joey Romeo, Perry Singleton, Curtis Teare.
Barrow will be looking for another home win on Sunday in the Championship when they host Doncaster. They have beaten York City Knights and Dewsbury Rans and now look for the treble.
Head coach Paul Crarey has made two changes to his 21-man squad, with Adam Jackson and Mike Ogunwole both returning.
Kavan Rothwell misses out after picking up a knock which is being assessed, and Brett Carter is the other player who makes way.
It’s a big afternoon for goal-kicking winger Ryan Shaw who will be making his 100th appearance for the Raiders.
Crarey said: “I’m looking for a repeat of the first-half against Dewsbury, certainly not the second half when we made 17 unforced errors.
“We had a particularly good mid-week training session when the lads looked really slick and I hope we can replicate that in the game on Sunday.”
The Raiders squad is: Luke Broadbent, Andrew Bulman, Greg Burke, Max Clarke, Matt Costello, Luke Creswell, Charlie Emslie, Tom Forber, Ellis Gillam, Delaine Gittens-Bedward, James Greenwood, Adam Jackson, Ryan Johnston, Mike Ogunwole, Ryan Shaw, Razor Silva, Shane Toal, Brad Walker, Tom Walker, Tom Wilkinson, Josh Wood.
