RUGBY UNION By John Walsh

Last updated 09:12, Friday, 17 October 2008

Cup rugby dominates the county rugby union scene tomorrow with clubs involved in three national knockout competitions.

Aspatria travel to Huddersfield in the National Trophy; Carlisle visit Rochdale and Penrith travel to Billingham, both in the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.

In the EDF Energy Senior Vase Creighton are at home to Percy Park; Keswick host Gosforth; Wigton entertain Wallsend and their seconds, the Wanderers are also at Lowmoor Road against Ashington.

Aspatria will be facing a Huddersfield side who play two Leagues above them, but were well beaten at home last week by Caldy.

Chairman of rugby Mark Richardson said: “They will be looking to bounce back after that and playing a team from a lower League might be what they are looking for.

“But we have nothing to lose and provided we stand up to the plate there is no reason why we can’t go there and produce a shock. We have to adapt though and play tour best.”

Player coach Mike Scott has a calf strain but otherwise Aspatria will have everybody available from last week’s home win over Ilkley.

In addition Dan Rayson and Andrew Miller should be available again to give more depth to the squad as the competition allows seven replacements.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, after last week’s first League win, Carlisle have selected an unchanged team and replacements for the Cup match at Rochdale.

George Graham, who fell ill with a virus last week, is added to the bench as a back replacement. There are no residual injuries from last week, so the chance to give the same XV another run out together is a luxury that has evaded the city side so far this season. It will be a tough game with Rochdale going well in North Two West.

League games between the two sides have always been keenly contested in the past and doubtless the encounter on Saturday will be no exception.

Penrith have an attractive tie in prospect at Billingham, because that will bring together the top two teams in North Two East. Billingham have won all five games so far, including victories over Carlisle and Aspatria, while Penrith are their nearest rivals, just two points behind.

Penrith had a good win at Sandal last week and hope to be on similar lines for the trip to the north east.

Wigton will have Tane Manihera back in the squad after a fortnight’s training.

He suffered a shoulder injury playing rugby league for Whitehaven in the end-of-season play-offs but is ready to resume.

James Lund is unavailable so David Thompson moves to prop and Stuart Creighton returns, while ex-Silloth forward Andrew Stephens is ready to make his senior debut.

It’s a big day for the Wigton club with the RFU’s top brass visiting, and also the second team, the Wanderers at home to Ashington in the Senior Vase.

Keswick, who have been in good form at Davidson Park this season are at home to Gosforth while Creighton expect a tough battle against Percy Park, even though they do have ground advantage.