GET in their faces will be the battle-cry yelled by York Rugby Union Club 1st XV away to hosts Hull on Saturday.

York coach Andy Gair rates the Hull outfit as being the best in North 2 East, and he pinpointed them as clear favourites to lift the title this season after a massive summer recruitment drive.

But it is precisely that 'newness' which the Clifton Park ranks will be determined to exploit in a game which was postponed from the first day of term because of Hull's national cup involvement.

Gair was under no illusions that tomorrow's encounter would represent York's stiffest challenge of the campaign. but after watching Hull trail to Redcar at half-time last week he was convinced that there were weaknesses to work on.

Most notable was how there was not yet a fluent cohesion to the Hull side because they were still new to each other's game. And he added that there was a more than a hint of a lack of mobility out wide among the backs.

Said Gair: "I would say Hull are clear favourites. They are by far the best all-round team I have seen this year.

"They are very strong, but they do have weaknesses and they looked vulnerable when Redcar put pressure on them. So we will have to get into their faces.

"We believe a win is possible if we perform appropriately."

There will be several changes to the York squad, who will be striving too ensure their focus does not stray to the other side of the globe and the World Cup collision between England and South Africa, which starts some two hours earlier.

The centre partnership of Nathan McBride and Sam Arkle were injured in last week's 23-13 defeat at Bridlington, so Sean Bass (pictured below) and Rob Taylor will come in, while in the back row Jim Hawcutt is unavailable enabling a promotion to the senior ranks for South African Herman Louw. Andy Kay will also displace Stu Davies (dead leg) on the open-side.

In the front row York welcome back props Gareth Dodgson and James Nuttall.

Selby will be boosted by the return of John Webster, injured in the Intermediate Cup first round at Dinnington last month, at centre for tomorrow's second round tie at home to Wheatley Hills.

He comes into the side in place of the unavailable Andy Bennett, after a promising run out with the second XV.

Martin Protheroe will start on the wing in place of Paul Scott who is rested, filling one of the places on the bench. Ian Copperwheat props after coming on as a substitute in the victory at Dinnington replacing Paul Gabel who is rested.

At number 8, Duncan Phillips replaces the injured Jamie Pocklington with Paul Randell filling in at flanker.

The Pocklington, Malton and Norton and York RI senior sides do not have games this weekend.

Updated: 10:43 Friday, October 17, 2003