Douglas Rugby Club kick-off their 10th season at level six in the national league structure at Port-e-Chee against visitors Wilmslow on Saturday.

The clubs have a rivalry going back to the 1980s and beyond when Wilmslow’s more senior status at the time included winning the Cheshire Cup in 1972, yet losing to Douglas in the Cheshire Plate in 1985.

The head-to-head league match details in Regional Two North West have Wilmslow one win in front, although their most recent clash was in the UK when Douglas lifted the Cheshire Vase in the May final.

Wilmslow were promoted last season from Counties One ADM after winning all but two rounds, and Douglas were in the promotion play-offs after recording their highest finish in fifth.

But, even in what feels a short off-season, things can change. The Manx side certainly will have a different look to the team, with Liam Kirkpatrick (shoulder) and Blake Snell (hand) continuing with injury recovery, Blake Everson returning to New Zealand after a successful time at Douglas and Ethan Kermode missing from the pack.

On the plus side, Mark Oldfield is in full training and the Chenda brothers both look good prospects.

This season’s skipper Simon Hoddinott has always quietly and effectively led from the front and, with Harry Cartwright a vocal back-rower, Douglas may have a recipe for success.

The young front-rowers Conor Garland, Josh Campbell and Owen Carvin will be key performers as the pre-season matches against Scarborough and Cill Dara demonstrated, and the pace and fitness of the Douglas three-quarters is promising. Added to the return of Sam McCord, the back division is bursting with potential.

Kick-off is 3pm.

- A report from the match will appear in next week’s Isle of Man Examiner, on sale Tuesday morning.