So, what might we face tomorrow (22/02/09) ... : Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:25 pm
... London Skolars Away (Northern Rail Cup)
Former York player and London Skolars assistant coach Callum Irving became the youngest coach in the 'professional' game when he was appointed head coach of the Skolars for the start of the 2009 season.
Many of the players available to Irving will not be the most familiar of names to the Dons supporters but one who certainly is would be Austin Aggrey, a former Academy Player of the Season at Doncaster who made a handful of first team fixtures in the St John Ellis era before relocating to London. Aggrey is likely to start in his favoured position on the wing.
Other wingers available are Olu Iwenofu and Corey Simms. Simms joined from South London Storm having been a product of Oxford Cavaliers in the RL Conference, being named RLC Young Player of the Year in 2002. Simms can also operate at full back as can New Zealander Frank Reid.
The likely centre partnership is that of Ollie Fountain and Ollie Bloom, the latter who is a recent acquisition from Harlequins.
The choice of half backs would seem to be between Paul Thorman, the younger brother of SL-star Chris, Danny Burke and Australian utility Chad Isles. Jermaine Coleman being unavailable due to a knee injury.
Starting prop forwards could well be Dave Ellison and Paul Hyder with Graeme Spencer and Tony Williams (another ex Harlequin) being other options. Spencers fellow Tongan Glen Osbourne is still a few weeks away from a return.
The hooker is likely to be Gareth Honor with the other option being Tongan understudy Orrieso Agbareh.
Options for second row and loose forward include Matt Thomas, Dene Miller, Ben Joyce, Andre Vine and another couple of Tongans Jaymes Chapman and Bobby Wallis.
Other players who could be involved include Keir Bell, Australian Leigh Tyler-Nissen and Fijian forward Jaraslaw Obuchowski.