WHARFEDALE will have David Pears back in the fly-half berth when they take on Rugby at The Avenue tomorrow in the top game in National Division Two.

The former England No 10 has not played in the first team since leaving the field with a knee injury at Plymouth Albion, but he played half a game with the Wharfedale Foresters last weekend and came through with no ill effects.

His resumption is one of two significant changes of personnel in the side, the other being the return of Russell Buckroyd to the back row.

Pears' return brings a reshuffle in the back division, with Neil Heseltine moving to outside centre alongside Andy Hodgson and David Whitfield going onto the replacement bench.

While Heseltine is an able footballer by any standards and a versatile player, one relative chink in his armament as a fly-half is that he does not carry the weight of kick possessed by Pears.

While the new combination is unlikely to bring any major change of tactical strategy, the fact that Pears has the power to change the geographical complexion of a game with one well-executed kick gives the side an additional option.

There were times in the mud at Kendal when a basic 10-man approach would have been a useful line to pursue and against a side of Rugby's pedigree, Pears' ability to clear and exert pressure may prove an important tool.

Buckroyd's return is extremely timely given that Tony Jackson is side-lined with a damaged foot. He suffered the injury in the early stages at Mint Bridge and his mobility seemed impaired, especially with conditions underfoot being so treacherous.