WESTOE have called up 21- year-old former Otley player Ben Morris for tomorrow’s trip to Hull in National Two North.

Morris, who plays at No 8 or blind side, made several first team starts last season for Otley and is now a student at Newcastle University.

He has impressed in two outings with Westoe seconds and Director of Rugby Andy Howells said: “I chased him up during the summer then he suddenly arrived on our doorstep. He will be a major back row asset.”

Morris’s arrival is timely as Jonathon Okwe-Pearson is unavailable for a number of weeks and Aaron Myers has heavy playing commitments with Northumbria University and Newcastle Falcons Academy.

Howells is also seeking clearance from the French Rugby Union for Adrian Gaillot, also 21, who has played in the back row for La Rochelle’s development and under-21 sides. He is a teaching colleague of player-coach Mark Bedworth at Durham School.

Howells expects a tough battle up front at Hull, who are in mid-table with four wins from the eight games. He said: “There are some tough games ahead and I feel that the next five or six weeks will show us just how good we really are.”

After ending National Three North leaders Stockport’s unbeaten record, Middlesbrough keep faith with their two late front row replacements, Matthew Helm and Tom Symon, for the trip to Sandal.

Hooker Richard Horton is suspended for a further week, while Lee Theakston returns on the bench, where he will be joined by player-coach Paul Lee. In the backs Peter Homan stays at centre after impressing there against Stockport, and with Jack Bircham unfit Paul Norris and Peter Whittaker are on the wings.

Sandal, who have faded since winning their first three games, remain two places above Boro and their only home defeat has been by 12-7 at home to Stockport.

After last week’s woefully weakened line-up succumbed to Alnwick, Stockton are hoping a few of their casualties will be fit for the trip to Novos.

Andy Bare, who broke his hand in a pre-season friendly, comes in at full back so Dan Phinn drops to the bench.

Coach Craig Lee’s knees have finally given up after seven games deputising for Jeremy Good so centre Craig Slaughter switches to fly half as Good is still a week away from match fitness.

No 8 Scott Powell’s expected return last week did not materialise and he is still struggling with his shoulder problem.

Stockton are one of the teams nominated for this season’s national cups, which have been watered down, leaving most teams below national league level with a blank date next Saturday.

The new format splits each section into two pools based either side of the Pennines and in the Intermediate Cup Stockton entertain Gosforth next week and visit Bridlington on February 12. Workington, Widnes and Bowden complete the group, with the winners going into the national quarter-finals.

In the Senior Vase Barnard Castle are at home to Blyth next week and away to Old Rishworthians on February 12, while in the Junior Vase Chester-le-Street entertain North Shields next week and visit Leeds Corinthians on February 12.