YORKSHIRE will show five changes to the side which defeated Northumberland earlier in the season at Otley when they meet them again on February 28 in the quarter finals of the Tetley's Bitter County Championship at Tynedale.

The White Rose men received a welcome boost with the news that Harrogate were prepared to release their players and re-arrange their postponed league game with Otley, which is their right now that the competition has reached the quarter-final stage.

The outcome is that three of Yorkshire's Jewson One clubs are represented with Wharfedale's David Lister making his county debut.

He joined the Dalesmen from neighbours Keighley two seasons ago and quickly established himself as one of the side's key men.

Yorkshire show two pack changes to the side which defeated Northumberland 25-15 in December. In addition to Lister, his club-mate John Lawn takes over at hooker from Harrogate's Richard Whyley.

Wharfedale's former Sale No 8 Charlie Vyvyan was consulted about his availability, but is carrying a shoulder injury and decided to take advantage of the chance to rest to be fully fit to help his club.

Behind the scrum, Driffield's former Wakefield wingman, Alisdair McClarron keeps his place ahead of Otley's Simon Smith, while another Cross Green man, fly-half Simon Hawkins, is preferred to club mate Anthony Cadman.

Like Hawkins, Sandal's Ben Wheeler keeps his place ahead of Otley's Andy Brown after a solid debut against Staffordshire at Burton in the previous game.

"I think we're probably slightly stronger than when we last met, provided we can produce our best form on the day," saidchairman of selectors, Russ Holmes.

Yorkshire squad: Jon Ellis (Doncaster), Chris Conway (Doncaster), Jonathan Davies (Wharfedale), Stuart Dixon (Harrogate), Alisdair McClarron (Driffield), Simon Hawkins (Otley), Ben Wheeler (Sandal), Robert Faulkner (Harrogate), John Lawn (Wharfedale), Clive Yemm (Doncaster), David Lister (Wharfedale), Karl Cragg (Bridlington), Richard Senior (Doncaster) captain, Hedley Verity (Wharfedale), Paul Manders (Middlesbrough). Replacements: Richard Whyley (Harrogate), Peter Davidson (Middlesbrough), Phil Horton (Old Brodleians), Alex Ledger (Halifax), Daniel Harrison (Wharfedale), David Fairclough (Doncaster).

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