HARD-hitting centre Sean Bass makes his first appearance of the year as York RUFC look to take revenge at Carlisle in the first round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.

The Clifton Parkers have already made the trip to Cumbria once this season, where they fell 36-18 in the second week of the North 2 East season.

A win would be a morale booster for York, who have lost four of their five matches this season but have generally been competitive in rugby's higher echelon since their promotion from Yorkshire One last season.

Veteran Bass comes in for Sam Arkle at outside centre and should form a strong defensive partnership with kicker Nic Ventress in York's midfield.

Lee Denham, now match fit following a couple of outings from the bench, takes his place in the line- up at blindside flanker, with Stu Davies the openside.

Kiwi Mickey Pellowe, who got some game-time after returning from a calf injury in York's 27-8 loss to Durham City last weekend, continues his fight for match fitness from the bench, while Dan Russell is in at wing for missing try scorer Rob Kama.

York RI, who celebrated their first win in more than a year with an 11-7 victory over Wath on Dearne in Yorkshire Three last week, will look to record back-to-back successes when they travel to Garforth in the EDF Energy Junior Vase.

Boosted by that victory, the Railwaymen will have high hopes of progression and with Wallaby tourists Tom Quirke and Rick Lindsley in the side - along with club stalwart John Alexander - the New Lane-based outfit will feel confident of a second win on the spin.

Having tasted defeat for the first time, Selby face an equally difficult test when they travel to Keighley in the second round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

The Sandhill Laners' start of four straight wins was blunted on their own turf by Scarborough, who took away a 16-8 victory despite Rich Fuller's try.

Selby will want to bounce back but Keighley is generally considered a tough place to get a result, although Sheffield Tigers managed an 18-9 win there last time out.

Having moved away from the bottom of the Yorkshire One table with an overdue 11-8 win over Heath at The Gannock, Malton and Norton now travel to Knottingley in the Senior Vase.

They will have high hopes against the Yorkshire Two club but will be aware that it could also be a potential banana skin. Knottingley have lost three of their opening five games this season but have beaten West Park Leeds and North Ribblesdale and will be no pushover for skipper Andy Mitchell and his men.

Pocklington have a week off from league action, but a squad will be playing in a friendly at Scunthorpe.