Rugby Union: Sunderland forced into six changes
It's all change for Sunderland this weekend – despite last week's impressive victory over Hartlepool.
Injury and unavailabilty rules out six players from the trip to Novos.
Despite sitting third bottom of the league, Novos should be full of confidence having embarked on a good run of four wins in five games – with their only defeat coming to high-flying Team Northumbria.
Novos tend to play open running rugby which should suit Sunderland's style and provide an open attractive game of rugby.
Jack Birkett is still out of action with a hamstring injury while Ross Finch has failed to recover from a calf injury that forced him to pull out of last week's game during the warm-up.
There is a slight doubt over the fitness of Andy Black, who suffered a severely bruised foot in last week's victory, but it is hoped he will recover in time to start.
On top of those injuries, Sunderland will also be missing Tony Irwin, Paul Gregson, Richard Arrowsmith and Stevie Graham who are all away for the weekend.
Arrowsmith's absence means there is a well-deserved first start for youngster Ryan Buckley.
He has played a vital impact role from the bench in recent weeks, helping to shore up the set-piece and close out games. He is rewarded with a starting spot alongside Chris Geehan and Pete Harrison.
In the back row, Andy Mackie is selected following a good performance for the seconds last week and replaces Paul Gregson at blindside flanker. Black is selected, subject to fitness.
The usual half-back combination of Tarn and Dobson continues, while Sam Jordan moves from the wing to partner Matt Goforth at centre in place of Graham.
Jamie Maclenann replaces Jordan on the wing and will look to make a big impact having been kept out of the side for so long after a blistering start to the season.
Tom Townend returns to the squad after being unavailable for the last two weeks but must make do with a spot on the bench alongside front row cover Andy Hall and forwards cover John Drummond.
A second team weakened by call-ups to the seconds will face a tough trip to Carlisle, while the thirds travel to Jarrow for a hastily-arranged game after Houghton cried off their scheduled league match unable to field a team.
Sunderland I (away to Novocastrians. Meet 1pm: Harrison, Geehan, Buckley, Carter, Wordsworth, Mackie, Black, Watt, Tarn, Dobson, Maclennan, Jordan, Goforth, Hope, Bellon. Reps: Hall, Drummond, Townend.
Sunderland II (away to Carlisle. Meet noon): Geal, Bengochea, Marshall, Mackie, Elstobb, Hirst, Smith, Belfield, Brace, Walton, Wilkinson, Vaughan, Abraham, Hands, Edmundson, Hanlon, M. Reah.
Sunderland III (away to Jarrow II. Meet 2pm): Marshall, Wright, Brown, Turnbul, Belfield, Jackson, Hurst, Green, Harrison, Grainger, N Wright, D. Wright, Reah, Ditchburn, Swann. Reps: Edmundson, Groark, Goschorn.
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
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