TITLE-CHASING York RI will hope to continue their fantastic form with an eighth successive league win against lowly Castleford in Yorkshire Three tomorrow.

RI recorded their seventh win on the bounce with a 22-14 victory over Moortown last week but there will be no thoughts of complacency as the club look to wave a winning farewell to stalwart Nathan Ashman who, club chiefs say, will be playing his final game for RI before moving down south to a new job.

Ashman, a big, fast No 8, has been one of RI's most loyal servants and will look to leave the club perched at the top of the league.

It's a settled side which takes on Castleford with only Glen O'Hara forced to sit on the sidelines. Mark Oliver and Karl Hart, who made impressive debuts against Moortown, regain their places.

Nigel Lowery, club spokesman, said: "We are very hopeful, but Castleford are fast in the backs and a couple of players have returned from Sandal. We are in a sustained run of form and we just have to keep our eyes on the job. There will be no complacency against the bottom side."

It was a season which promised so much for York but, following a thumping by Huddersfield YMCA last time out, the Clifton Parkers are once more trying to get their ailing campaign back on track.

But third-placed Bridlington will be a difficult trip for a side shorn of confidence and still missing a number of key players.

Fly-half Carl Paterson's departure to play in Italy has left a hole at stand-off but previous incumbent Mike Ford has been given a recall.

Tom Copeland's superior kicking abilities see him installed at full-back with Mike Westwood dropping to the bench. Billy Cankatabula returns to the wing. With both Jon Sharpe and Rob Allen unavailable, James O'Dell retains the hooking berth. Stu Davies returns at open-side, and Andy Kay is at No 8.

Selby could find themselves in the bottom three if they fail to pick up points against Ilkley in a crucial fixture at Sandhill Lane.

Selby will be missing three key players with centre Andy Gabel still injured and young winger Sam Weller suffering from a shoulder injury. Prop Andrew Pocklington is unavailable.

In the forwards, Richard Fuller starts with Wright Phillips at No 8 for Kevin Lowery.

Pocklington travel to Barnsley hoping to get back to winning ways following two successive home league defeats. The Percy Roaders are without a host of key players, but they welcome back vice-captain Sandy Mitchell, who will play at stand-off.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, January 27, 2006