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Fylde RU teen in Trophy debut
FYLDE RU will give 18-year-old scrum-half James Smith a debut on Saturday – even though director of rugby Mark Nelson confesses he has never seen him play.
Smith has been handed the no.9 jersey for the EDF Energy National Trophy clash at Hull Ionians as part of club policy to use the cup to give fringe players and the younger brigade a chance of valuable experience.
Smith, rated a good prospect, hails from Tarleton and Nelson said: "He joined the first team squad for pre-season training and there have been good reports about him from the second team.
"I have spoken about him with people I can trust, like Graham Smith, Ian Cosh and Dave Wilkes. It will be a good opportunity for him at Hull and he will start the game."
Other players in contention are Matt Hughes, Matt Gargett and Matt Thompson.
Alistair Atkinson is set to lock the scrum, replacing namesake Oliver (no relation), who is on loan from Moseley and his club don't want him cup-tied.
* KENDAL have been deducted four Division Three North points for naming an unregistered player in the squad whiich beat Halifax 23-12.
* Former captain Lawrence Dallaglio is not surprised James Haskell has been recalled to the England team for Saturday's clash with South Africa.
Haskell replaces Tom Croft at blindside flanker in manager Martin Johnson's only change to the team which lost to Australia on Saturday.
His former Wasps team-mate Dallaglio said: "James adds a little bit defensively.''
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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