The Hull rugby union derby takes place this Saturday at Hull RUFC Chanterlands Avenue ground .
Hull will be looking to add to their wins tally for the season as they look to climb the table. Hull Ionians on the other hand have a decent first half of the season and sit in a comfortable position in the top half of table. Recent form has seen both sides lose to Sheffield Tigers with hull losing at Sheffield whilst Hull Ionians were just eased out by one point on their own ground. Such form pointers mean little in derby games and in recent times these games have been keenly fought with the eventual result often being decided late in the second half.
Hull’s last home game saw them triumph over a mid table Otley side with a controlled performance.
Hull will field much the same squad as took the field last week but with some positional changes and changes to the starting line up.
The forwards will see Mike Jobling and Danny Ward team up in the second row behind the solid looking front row of Charlie Beech, Jack Bergmanas and Loma Kivalu with the back row of David Halafoinua, Alec Renouf and Evi Uriburu-Gray completing the line up. The backs see centre and captain, Ali Heard ,make his 250th appearance for the club. Wingers Jack Render and Tom Lineham start with centre Tom Minns and Joe Cummins completing the backs line up with Joe Adams and Reece Dean filling the half back roles.
The bench has an experienced line up with impact players like the pacy Jake Boardman quite capable of shaking things up later in the game. However there is no denying that Hull Ionians have had the better start to the season and they will pose a threat to the Hull side who have shown they can mix it with the best in recent weeks but will need to regain the from shown against Darlington and Otley if their captain, Ali Heard is to celebrate his 250th appearance with a positive result .
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 