Role reversal could hold the key to transforming York Wasps' fortunes at Rochdale tomorrow.

Coach Dean Robinson has taken the drastic action of switching Darren Callaghan and Andy Preston in a bid to get the best out of both players.

Callaghan, who had a spell at full-back against Hunslet last week, will start in the number one shirt while Preston has been handed the pivotal scrum-half role.

It is the first time Callaghan has ever started a game at full-back but, after a poor start to the season, Robinson hopes he will revel in his new role.

"I feel it could be the ideal position for him at this moment in his career. He's an exciting talent on the ball and this will give him the chance to come up in the line which will give him great opportunity to show his skills," said Robinson, who is also confident that Callaghan can do the job in defence.

"In training he was finishing off the attacking plays with relish. As a points scoring machine he will do great service to the number one shirt. It will get back his confidence and keeps him in a starting shirt because he's too talented to be languishing on the bench or elsewhere."

The York boss admitted the half-backs have been a problem all season and, with Mark Cain still trying to rediscover his best form following suspension, Preston could be the man to provide the missing spark.

"We need someone at scrum-half who can take the organisational pressure off Mark until he gets into full swing and I think Andy can do that," explained Robinson.

The switching of Preston - full back for the last two games - and Callaghan is one of several changes from the team which was so dismal in last week's 30-6 defeat at Hunslet.

New Earswick All Blacks second rower Lee McTigue will make his NFP debut after being named on the bench while Matt Woodcock, Paul Darley and Mick Hagan are all included in the starting line-up having recovered from injuries and flu.

Centre Rob Lee has still not fully recovered from the broken ribs which he sustained in the season's opener but Andy Hill will get his first start if he passes a late fitness test on his troublesome hamstring. If not then John McCracken may be drafted in.

For the first time this season Robinson has the luxury of options. Another tactical move sees Spencer Hargrave switch from loose forward into the centres. Out go Carl Paterson, Lea Tichener, McCracken, the injured Garry Atkins and Alan Pallister, who has not been fully fit all season.

The danger man for Rochdale is scrum-half Dane Dorahy, son of Australian John. He has been outstanding in the opening matches and the Wasps game plan will involve shutting him out.

Robinson said: "He is an exceptional talent at this level. He has scored some excellent individual tries, his kicking game is good and his vision is second to none. He is totally running the show for Rochdale."

Under the guidance of new Australian coach Steve Linnane, Rochdale looked much improved from last season. Dorahy has a fine half-back partner in former Dewsbury stand-off Danny Wood and last week they signed prop Andy Pucill from Leigh.

Tomorrow's squads

Wasps: (probable) Callaghan, McKenzie, Hargrave, Austerfield, Woodcock, Cain, Preston, Hayes, Dobson, Hagan, A Hill, Booth, Darley. Subs: Gray, S Hill, Judge, McTigue.

Hornets: from Waring Price-Jones, Martin, Cooper, Hilton, Wood, Dorahy, Sculthorpe, Robinson, Bunce, McKinney, Derose, McMenemy, Prest, Hudson, Swinson, Best, Pucill.

Referee: Paul Lee (Leigh)

Kick-off: 3pm.

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