Wharfedale’s credentials will receive the ultimate test on Saturday when undefeated league leaders Ealing Trailfinders find the trail to the Avenue (2pm).

Newcomers to the division last season, the ambitious West London club were unfortunate to have their arrival coincide with that of Jersey, but they nevertheless impressed the Wharfedale supporters with some of the best rugby seen all season.

Wharfedale expect Satur- day’s showdown to be different from the attritional battles which have distinguished this season so far.

whereas the Greens have accumulated 23 tries, Ealing’s wingers Phil Chesters and Owen Bruynseels, have 17 scored between them.

The selectors have gone with the same back division which started against Sedgley Park, which means that Luke Gray becomes the latest player to make his 100th appearance for Wharfedale.

To compensate for the absence of the physical presence of the unavailable Alastair Allen, the selectors have taken the unusual step of starting with a debutant, albeit one with considerable pedigree: Dominic Barrow has eight caps for England u- 20s, and was the successful captain of the Under 18s.

Wharfedale: Tom Davidson; Nick Taylor, Joe Donkin, Andy Hodgson, Simon Horsfall; Luke Gray, James Gough; Chris Steel (c), Steve Graham, Adam Howard, Richard Brown, Richard Rhodes, Dominic Barrow, James Tyson, Aaron Myers.
Replacements: Ian Larkin, Adam Mason, Dan Solomi, Matthew Clark, Will Bell.