Douglas have named a strong squad for the visit of Waterloo to Port-e-Chee in North One West on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts did the double over their visitors last season (34-16 at home in September, and 19-29 at Blundellsands in January).
Last week though Waterloo put 60 points on Broughton Park while Douglas were nowhere near their best when losing at Bowdon.
Lance and Shaun Wyllie return and player-coach Carl Murray steps up to outside-half in the absence of Bryn Snellgrove.
The Douglas forwards will want to impose themselves and give a changed backline opportunities to click. Winger Adam Boyd makes a first appearance of the season and the key will be unleashing his pace and power. Boyd’s game comes alive with confidence, and Murray’s marshalling of youngsters Harry Hewson and Ethan Pocklington in midfield will be decisive.
James Maddrell makes a welcome return to the squad after injury and Owen Carvin and Duncan Wilson are youngsters with a bright future.
It will need a higher gear than the misfiring Douglas team managed in Greater Manchester, but this third round of league fixtures with good weather and firm grounds could see Douglas accelerate.
Douglas squad: Harry Raven; Michael Dunnett; Ben Klaassen; Liam Kirkpatrick; Paul Leivers; Niall Killey; Sam Games; Lance Wyllie; Shaun Wyllie; Carl Murray; Will Cain; Harry Hewson; Ethan Pocklington; Adam Boyd; Duncan Wilson; Owen Carvin; Josh Carine; James Maddrell.
FIXTURES: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
North One West
Douglas v Firwood Waterloo @ Port-e-Chee ko 2.15pm
Lancashire/Cheshire Division One
Hoylake v Ramsey @ Hoylake ko 3pm
Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two
Vagabonds v Port Sunlight @ Ballafletcher ko 1pm
Manx Plate (2018/19)
Emerging Nomads v Castletown @ King William’s College ko 2.15pm
Manx Shield both ko @ 2.15pm
Ramsey B v Douglas Celts
Vagabonds B v PDMS Southern Nomads