It’s Southern Nomads turn to fly the flag across the water this weekend when they head to Port Sunlight in the Cheshire Plate quarter-final.

Nomads are previous winners of the Plate so the tie will hold no fear for them.

Nevertheless, the Birkenhead outfit are on something of a roll right now and probably will start as favourites.

Sunlight are currently top of Lancashire/Cheshire Two and have lost only three this season including one against Vagas who in turn have beaten Nomads in the Manx Cup.

It’s been something of a mixed season for Nomads.

Gaz Watt and Robin Hand are coaching at the coalface with Casey Davies taking something of a backseat role this season.

There’s been some player upheaval too with Rob Keelan drifting away to Vagabonds and Danny Kniveton emigrating to Malta.

The Manx Shield campaign is done and dusted with a bridesmaid finish and the Manx Cup looks increasingly like a distant dream.

Cheshire Plate, however, remains a very real prospect with a semi-final against Douglas Celts the prize for a win at Sunlight.

The Nomads squad for this weekend is a fairly young one, which bodes well for the future, but some players will be fairly inexperienced which may allow Sunlight’s wiser heads to take charge.

Orry Watterson will be one to watch for Nomads. He’ll be front row this time but is comfy in the back row too and loves to carry the ball.

Steve McHugh partners Dave Walsh in the engine room of the scrum. Both have had spells at Vagabonds so have some league experience under the belt.

Mark Young gives stability at 10 with the remainder of the back line bringing the x-factor. Watch for Django Kinley’s pace on the wing.

This will be a tough test for Nomads, but a win is well within their grasp.

SOUTHERN NOMADS SQUAD:

Orry Watterson, Jack Sleight (c), Neil Callister, Steve McHugh, Dave Walsh, Keiran Maddrell, Drew Fleming, Ross Mann, Kyle Davies, Mark Young, Django Kinley, Adam Young, Josh Smith, Ethan McNaught, Jamie Hopwood. Replacements, Steve Downe, Dave Parkes, Dan Gallagher, Rob Craine, Mike Quayle, Finn McGregor.