As well as Durham Northumberland One points being at stake, there is also a place in the Durham Intermediate Cup semi-finals where a trip to Consett is on the agenda; West Hartlepool and Horden and Peterlee form the other semi-final.

League points for the Friaragemen are absolutely vital since a four or five points' return could, if other results go their way, lift them to third place and on the tails of leaders Consett and second-placed Stockton.

Gateshead and Rovers both like to play a running game and so it might be the team that shows the better defensive work that will take the victory.

The Tynesiders won away at Barnard Castle last week 24-21 whilst Rovers were beating Acklam, a result that took them off the bottom of the DN1 table.

Rovers welcome back Chrissy Harrison, Tom Stead and Danny Charters who missed the Acklam game and Darren Smith partners Dylan Langley in the second row. Dan Bird and Callum Whitehead come up from last week’s bench with Matty Saunders switching from prop to hooker.

Rovers: S Railton, Keers, Harrison, Gunn, A Smith, Fawcett, Bird, T Stead, M Saunders, Lloyd, Langley, D Smith, Charters, Wood, Whitehead (c), Subs: Maguire, C Montgomery, Evens