Newcastle Thunder have announced their match day squad for their first home game of the season on Sunday, when North Wales Crusaders are the visitors to Kingston Park (KO 3pm)
Head Coach Mick Mantelli has brought in four new faces to cover a combination of knocks and suspensions, which will see Josh Atkinson, Ali Blair and Josh Kittrick make their first League 1 appearances of the season.
On loan Dewsbury Ram Jason Moranka will have a first involvement for the club as Thunder look to make it two wins from two against a strong North Wales Crusaders side.
With Tom Ruediger nursing a knock, Blair takes to the fullback position, while Aaron Teroi moves into the centres to cover Derrell Olpherts, who is serving a one match suspension following a disciplinary hearing relating to the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup match against Siddal.
Dan Parker will partner Teroi, while Joe Brown and Peter Fox continue on the wings.
The front row trinity of Vincent Rennie, Craig Cook and Rhys Clarke all retain their places from last week’s trip to Oxford , with Harry Aldous lining up with Moranka.
Scottish International Lee Paterson completes the starting XIII while, Atkinson, Evan Simons, Josh Stoker, Fran Welsh and Ben Thorburn line up on the interchange bench.
Tickets for Sunday’s game remain on sale, with advanced ticket prices available until 4pm on Saturday 12th March. These can be purchased by clicking here, calling 0871 2266060 or visiting the Kingston Park Box Office.
Newcastle Thunder v North Wales Crusaders – 13th March 2016
Ali Blair, Joe Brown, Aaron Teroi, Dan Parker, Peter Fox, Josh Kittrick, Benn Hardcastle, Vincent Rennie, Craig Cook, Rhys Clarke, Harry Aldous, Jason Moranka, Lee Paterson.
Interchanges
Evan Simons, Josh Stoker, Fran Welsh, Josh Atkinson, Ben Thorburn