Douglas Rugby Club host Burnage in round three of Regional Two North West at Port-e-Chee on Saturday at 3pm.

The home side are well aware they are slow out of the blocks to date.

The Manx team can point to new combinations and a couple of absent personnel in the two opening rounds, but this time last year Douglas were about to launch an unbeaten seven-match run that ultimately lead to the play-offs.

Burnage won at Winnington Park last week and the head-to-head league record with Douglas has Burnage ahead 7-4.

It was a home win apiece last season in reasonably close affairs, and Josh Duncan and Harry Hewson may well miss this match, as will Liam Kirkpatrick and Ethan Kermode.

Mark Oldfield could return to bolster the back row where Harry Cartwright stays at number eight, and the Chenda brothers Kudzai and Thumbiko are proving useful additions to the Douglas forward strength.

John Dutnall returned to action last week as another back-row option and Jonty Shimmin may make an appearance from the bench.

If the Douglas lineout resumes a reliable source of possession and the undoubted pace and finishing power from nine to 15 can be unleashed, the Manx side are in with a shout this weekend.

TONY WILSON-SPRATT

- Calling all sports teams: we offer free publicity for local clubs and athletes in our newspapers and on our websites.

Share your match reports, tournament results, player achievements, and upcoming events by emailing [email protected]

Whether you're celebrating a big win, fundraising, or recruiting new players, we want to hear from you. Help us keep the Isle of Man’s sporting community informed and inspired - send us your sports stories today.