Master has a lesson for Students

The lock has been absent with an Achilles problem, but a week’s extra rest could make all the difference – Fylde had last Saturday off because of a break in the National League One fixture schedule.

Arnold’s return to full fitness would be welcome as Ben Harris, on loan from Leeds Carnegie, is not available this weekend.

Fylde are waiting to hear whether their pack will be further bolstered by Alex Loney, Steve McGinnis or Josh Beaumont being available.

The position on those three will become clearer later in the week.

The break in schedule also affords captain Evan Stewart and Stephen Briers a better chance to recover fully from knocks.

Coach Mark Nelson said: “Loughborough will be very tough because they have had some fine results lately.”

Fylde have turned down an offer from Leicester Tigers to take one of their academy players on loan.

Nelson said: “We have three scrum-halves already and it is a job to keep them all happy as it is.”

The Woodlands club’s second team, Fylde Hawks, are out of the North West Intermediate Rugby Union cup, narrowly beaten 25-22 away to Macclesfield II.

In the Shield competition, Garstang II lost 15-5 at home to Burnley II and BAE Warton won 15-7 away to Tarleton II.

In the Plate, Blackpool lost 15-5 away to Burnley III and Fleetwood IV lost 38-24 at Bolton IV,

In Division Three North, Fylde V lost at home to Ormskirk II 28-17.