WHETHER it is a lack of commitment from players these days or a crop of injuries because the sport is getting more physical, rugby union seems to be living in a world of constant change.

Take Bradford Salem for example in Yorkshire Division One.

Only three of their starting XV that played Keighley on the opening day of the season at Rose Cottage are likely to take the field at kick-off for the return derby at Shay Lane tomorrow.

They are backs Harry Hall and Ryan Smith, and prop Will Collins, and Salem’s chairman Neil Klenk said: “I suspect Keighley might be in the same boat.

“I don’t think that players have the same commitment these days as there are too many other things going on in their lives, while injuries are also a massive factor.

“There are injuries now that we hadn’t heard of in my day, but of course we follow the concussion protocol procedure very carefully these days, and three of our players are out because of that – Jake Green, Eeoghan Phillips and Sam Gardner.”

Salem, who won that match at Utley 52-22, are ninth and Keighley are 11th, five points and two places above the relegation line.

Klenk added: “We are both safe, but there is never a meaningless match between Salem and Keighley.

“There are local bragging rights at stake and we expect a decent crowd.”

Elsewhere, much interest centres on whether Baildon can pull off the great escape in Yorkshire Division Three.

The Jenny Laners, who have won their last two matches, are third from bottom ahead of their trip to eighth-placed Hemsworth, who have lost their last five.

However, only seven points separate Aireborough, who have a winnable game at fellow strugglers Halifax Vandals, in second from bottom (13th) and Sheffield Medicals in 10th.

Tomorrow marks the last match for most clubs in the Northern divisions, but Baildon do have the insurance policy of a home game against Thornensians to arrange.

Sixth-placed Bradford & Bingley, who fell to a disappointing 28-17 defeat at Bridlington last weekend, wrap up their North One East season with a trip to second-placed Scarborough, while Cleckheaton, still not quite safe at one place and four points above the demotion line, host Malton & Norton.

Old Grovians, aiming for a best-ever fifth-placed finish in Yorkshire Division Two, are at 10th-placed North Ribblesdale, but only three points separate Grovians and the five clubs below them.