ORANGE City, a side boasting an electric backline but a forward pack which has occasionally faltered at scrum time, against Cowra, a side with a blockbuster forward pack but backs who at times have left a little to be desired.
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Combine that with the fact both sides are currently undefeated after three rounds, sitting first and second respectively on the Blowes Clothing Cup ladder and separated only by bonus points, and you have the makings of the game of the season so far.
The Lions and the Eagles have demolished all before them in the opening three rounds, with the winner of today’s mouth-watering, top-of-the-table, round four clash set to take the outright competition lead.
“It’s always nice to lead ... we’re going over there knowing we’re good enough to get the win,” Lions co-coach Mick Gray said.
“We do have a couple out, (five-eighth and skipper) Cameron Cole is unavailable and our tighthead prop Matt Adams is too. So Keith Lawson replaces Matt, Lawso’s not really a prop, but he has played there before. Hopefully he’ll step up, particularly at scrum time.
“Other than that, we’ve just had a reshuffle in the backline.”
VIDEO: Michelle Cook and Matt Findlay preview Saturday's action:
Orange City’s Mr Consistency, Mesui Lemoto, shifts from inside centre to five-eighth, with Jake Davis taking his spot at second five.
Sam Coote shifts from fullback to outside centre, with Joe Lasagavibau returning to the custodian role after starring for Central West at the NSW Country Championships last weekend.
“I think we have a wider, more expansive style of backline play,” Gray said.
“But we know Cowra will come for us at scrum time. We’ve lost a lot of tightheads over the first few games, but they haven’t really cost us too much.
“That’s part of rugby though, and we’re confident if our scrum does go backwards we can make up for it around the paddock.”
Cowra hosts Orange City, with kick-off set for 3.15pm tomorrow.
ORANGE CITY: 1 Darcy Garlick, 2 Chris Senior, 3 Keith Lawson, 4 Chris Barrett, 5 Scott Smith, 6 Mitch Pearce, 7 Duncan Young, 8 Chris Scoins, 9 Tom Nell, 10 Mesui Lemoto, 11 Tom Fisher, 12 Jake Davis, 13 Sam Coote, 14 Mo Amone, 15 Joe Lasagavibau.