AFTER two away defeats, Keighley are hoping that the experienced Dave Pullen can prove a catalyst when they make their seasonal home bow against Leeds Medics & Dentists in SSE Yorkshire Division Two on Saturday.
"Dave is in his late thirties, and we shouldn't be having to call on him, but it is a case of needs must," explained director of rugby Graeme Sheffield.
"He will play at hooker but throwing in isn't necessarily one of his strengths, so we might need to work on that, and hopefully Will Armitage will be back next week.
"But what he does offer is an inspirational presence around the field and his chat will certainly help the younger players in our squad."
With no second-team game, Keighley have named 24 players, which they will trim to 18 depending on who are the fittest in terms of injuries.
They lost experienced half-backs Lucas Uren and Nigel Curr to knee injuries early in the second half during the 25-5 setback at Knottingley last weekend.
1st XV v LEEDS MEDICS & DENTISTS (Yorkshire Two) HOME KO 3pm, meet 1.45pm. From: E Barker, S Blakely, S Booker, S Brown, L Carter, N Curr, L Daniel, A Ebbrell, L Everett, S Everett, M Ferrazzano, M Hagyard, J Hannah, N Holroyd, A Horsfall, D Iliff, D Lester, T Lowther, S Minikin, D Pullen, D Smith, L Sokee, C Spencer, L Uren.
ACADEMY XV v OLD RISHWORTHIANS II (Yorkshire Two Aire-Wharfe West) AWAY KO 3pm, meet 12.45pm (cars). From: T Stuart; A Part, G Darwin, J Hill, J Rawnsley; A Gilmartin, A Hobson-Sheriff, R Lloyd, M Stott, J Sugden, J Wells, N Raja, C Hextall, S Welch, J Dyminski, N Berry, O Sugden, R Curtin, P Hands, L Kemp, J Williams, R Lacey, B Esay.
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