While acknowledging that Burnage’s artificial pitch gave them a significant advantage in defeating Bradford & Bingley 46-12 in their SSE National League Three North opener last weekend, director of rugby Henry Paul is also aware that the visitors’ defence was not up to scratch.

“It is something that we have been working hard to address in training this week,” admitted the Bees’ first-team manager Benji Pickin, “and Henry is very professional in everything that he does.

“Burnage’s pitch is very narrow and they packed midfield and ran strongly and very directly.

“Injuries to fly half Nick Wainwright, Matt Mitchell and James Morton didn’t help either but we are looking forward to the visit of Huddersfield on Saturday.

“They had a lot of injuries in being relegated last season and didn;t reckon they deserved to come down but have some of their better players back, and it will be nice to see former Bees player Giles Hetherington again. He is on the bench.”

Otley’s director of rugby James Tiffany knows he has a talented bunch of players, and the trick is to get them performing week in and week out.

He said: “Daniel Temm is one of our most consistent performers, and he is young but has a lot of experience.”

Otley, who defeated Bromsgrove 29-17 at Cross Green in SSE National League Two North last weekend, make the short hop to Harrogate.

“I have a lot of friends down there and it is good to see them doing so well after such a difficult few years,” said Tiffany.

Wharfedale coach Jon Feeley is hoping his players adopt the right mindset for the SSE National League One trip to Fylde.

He was concerned by the way they conceded four tries in the final ten minutes of their 38-34 home win over Worthing Raiders.

“We lacked mental application in the closing minutes,” he said.

"The intensity of our defence dropped off and we lost our patterns in attack. We started to make solo runs rather than moving the ball like we had earlier.

“It is all about having the right mindset. We cannot afford to allow strong positions like the one we had at 38-12 after 70 minutes slip away It should be a wake-up call.”

He added: “I felt that some of our attacking play in the first half was excellent and we are learning to move the ball well.

“The back row, with Rob Baldwin back, was awesome with Josh Burridge having a great debut.

“We need to build on this performance at Fylde. It will be a tough test because they won 45-41 at Old Albanians on Saturday.”