By MARK CASHMAN

Waratahs Tane Edmed and Mark Nawaqanitawase will bolster Eastwood for their crucial Shute Shield clash against Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval on Saturday.

Edmed will be the Woodies’ run on No.10 and Nawaqanitawase will add considerable thrust from the back field at fullback in a side looking to hit back after being rolled at the death by Sydney Uni last weekend in Mudgee.

A slight hamstring strain to Chris Bell has meant that coach Ben Batger hasn’t had to decide which flyhalf he starts the game with and Edmed will get some critical minutes in what should be a robust encounter.

Batger has also been able to welcome back Ed Craig into his side at hooker after his time with the Melbourne Rebels.

A significant in for the Beasties for this clash is the addition of Charlie Gamble at No.8 in a pack that kept its nerve in the final minutes of the big ddferby win over Randwick at Coogee Oval last weekend.

Angus Fowler has been named at scrum half and Mosese Tuipulotu will add considerable thrust in the middle of the field at centre.

Northern Suburbs will use Brad Hemopo and Tyler Kearns from the bench in their big showdown with Southern Districts.

Dave Henaway returns at blindside breakaway after missing the game against Gordon and his presence at line out time will be needed if the Shoremen are to continue their winning run.

Souths haven’t named Waratahs Joe Cotton and Tetera Faulkner in their team to take on Norths but they are sure to play some sort of role throughout the afternoon at North Sydney Oval.

Fred Dorrough has retained his spot at flyalf and Christian Kagiassis will play at fullback with the big in being the addition of George Worth in the centres.

Rugby News revealed exclusively earlier that Worth had joined the Rebels after spending a number of seasons at the Leicester Tigers in the English premiership.

Click on the front page to open.

At Rat Park, Warringah have named skipper Ben Marr will start the day at flyhalf with Tyson Davis dropping back to fullback for the initial confrontations.

In the pack Johnny Tuivati gets his chance from the bench in the Rats back row after coming across from Penrith with good mate Dean Blore.

The teams:

PENRITH V SYDNEY UNI at Nepean Rugby Park (3.00pm on Stan Sport)

PENRITH (1-15):
Ezekiel Seia, Leon Bongare, Jackson Clarke, Callum Adams, Tofua Fifita, Andrew Fiagatusa (c), Mathew Faoagali , Willie Tooala, Joseph Faoagali, Elia Morisio, Solomoni Dresu, Steven Gibson, Jale Seninawanwa, Jo Mar, Vili Cerei.

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):
Matt Sandell, Declan Moore, Darcy Breen, Hugh Bokenham, Sam Caird, Luke Ratcliff, Jack McCalman ©, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Henry Robertson, Connor O’Shea, Eddy King, Ofa Manuofetoa, Eddie Poolman, Matt Hood, Henry Clunies-Ross.

EASTERN SUBURBS V EASTWOOD at Woollahra Oval (3.00pm on Stan Sport)

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Faalelei Sione, Mooli Sooaemalelagi, Kalafi Pongi, Jack Digby ©, Sione Fifita, Archie Gavin, James Donato, Charlie Gamble, Angus Fowler, Rohan Saifoloi, Blake Rixon, Mosese Tuipulotu, Nicholas Jooste, Clay Uyen, Daniel Donato.

EASTWOOD (1-15):
Lewis Ponini, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Charles Granger, Charlie Cale, Ratu Tuisese, Tom Murphy, Michael Icely, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Lachlan Shelley, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stolz, Fabian Goodall, Mark Nawaqanitawase.

NORTHERN SUBURBS V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at North Sydney Oval (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15):
German Haefelli, James Margan, Dewald Dekker, Jeremy Burrill, Jack Whetton, Dave Henaway, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows, Brodie Leber, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece, Mau’u, Harry Burey (c), Nathan Russell, James Turner, Max Burey.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):
Blake Schoupp, Andrew Tuala, Conor Young, Isoa Nasilasila, Jake Douglas, Josh Bokser, Angus Allen, Phil Potgieter, Tyzac Jordan, Fred Dorrough, Ryan Menzies, Viliami Latu, George Worth, Sam Tabuatamata, Christian Kagiassis.

HUNTER WILDFIRES V RANDWICK at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15):
Faavae Sila, Chris Ale, Nicholas Dobson, Ngaruhe Jones, Olajuwon Noa, Tuietei Asi, Joe Tamani, Tuietei Asi, Kirk Tufuga, Leon FukoFuka (vc), Jayden Wright, Mike Saili, Carl Manu (c), Nate De Thierry, William Lewesi, William Feeney.

RANDWICK (1-15):
Chris Eves, Dave Vea, Wayne Borsak, Tom Piroddi, Tom Nowlan, Ben Houston, Tom Serhon, Jamie Rickward, Mitch Short (c), Ben Starkey, Jackson Mohi, Kristian Jensen, Zac Carr, Christian Yassmin, Laim O’Connell.

WARRINGAH V WESTER HARBOUR at Pittwater Rugby Park (3.00pm on Stan Sport)

WARRINGAH (1-15):
Rory O’Connor, Jack Nettleton, Sam Needs, Andrew Davies, Hugh Margin, Charlie McKill, Rory Suttor, Alex O’Dell, Harry Anderson-Brown, Ben Marr, Charlie Tupu, Robbie Nelson, Ben Woollett, Esera Chee-Kam, Tyson Davis.

WEST HARBOUR (1-15):
Sonny Satuala ©, Navi Bolatagici, Cam Betham, Visiano Vaohea, Otto-Louis Wendt, Jordan Sharp, Kali Nacina, Damien Flemming, Isaiah Leota, Patrick Pellegrini, Toti Mafi, Chris Ebeling, Cooper Henwood, Justin Marsters, Kodie Drury-Hawkins.

MANLY V WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES at Manly Oval (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

MANLY (1-15):
Alefosio Tatola, James Hilterbrand, Conor Davidson, Gus Verhoeven, George Noa, Harry Bergelin, Hunter Ward, Tevin Ferris, Dion Spice, Ollie Horne, Ben Crerar, Harley Attwater, Dennis Pili-Gaitau, Justin Tavae, Te Raina Richards-Coxhead.

TWO BLUES (1-15):
Nick Blacklock, Josh Havea, Paea Tapuosi, Amos Viiga, Alan Rathbun, Riley Jacobson (c), George Prain, Tevita Vea, Sam Babb, Rory Garrett, Api Bera, Tepai Meorea, Theo Steffany, Saiyasi Ikanidrodo, John Pale.

GORDON has the bye

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON