PRIDE will be the watchword at Clifton Park on Saturday as York RUFC look to revisit their glorious early season form by beating Old Crossleyans.

It's a chance to put a dent in their opponent's Yorkshire One promotion hopes, while also gaining revenge for a 26-17 defeat earlier in the season.

With that in mind, coaches Mick Negri, Alan Robertshaw and Sean Bass have selected a strong XV to face Crossleyans.

Both Stu and Ian Davies feature, with Sam Arkle and Rob Kama the two wings. Cory Wallace, Brad MacDonald and Andy Kay continue to provide the backbone and the platform for half-back combination of Carl Paterson and Graeme Smith.

Phil Littlehales continues to make waves in the centre, and hopes are high that this game - rearranged after falling victim to the weather a couple of weeks ago - can end in victory for York.

It may not be the league, but any victory will do for Selby who entertain Knottingley at Sandhill Lane in the third round of the Yorkshire Shield.

The only change for Selby in the backs is the unavailability of winger Martin Protheroe - young John Readshaw has been pencilled in to play.

But Selby's pack has been hit hard with Jason Cicero, Mathew Mills, Paul Gabel, Wright Phillips, Duncan Phillips and Richard Nicholson all missing.

Rob Triffitt and Mark Toye are the all-new second row with Kevin Lowery at number 8 and Paul Randell and young Jonathan Crane the flankers.

In the front row, hooker and ever-present Shane Sellers is propped by Andrew Pocklington and old stalwart Mark Tomlinson.

But with Knottingley short of only two regulars, and with two Yorkshire one scalps already to date in this competition with away wins at Goole and Keighley, it will be no surprise if a weakened Selby become their third.

Pocklington travel to Yarnbury to replay the Yorkshire Two game which was a victim of the weather a fortnight ago.

They are in for a contest as, despite Yarnbury being bottom of the table, they have shown better form recently.

Regulars Steve Wilcock, Matt Davies and Rob Jackson are in Ireland with the Merovingians, but skipper Matt Atkinson is back to lead the side from the back row.

The call-up for teenage threequarters Nick Bennett, Ralph Cauldwell and Tim Drew means that the average age of the Pocklington back line is just 21.

Updated: 10:01 Friday, March 17, 2006