Is there any better way to spend the Easter long weekend than playing rugby! Hunter and Eastwood kick start to Easter festivities with a Good Friday match in Newcastle.

On Easter Saturday, Norths host Easts in a grand final rematch, Souths and Manly will both battle for their first wins, Gordon host West Harbour, Randwick take on the Two Blues and Sydney Uni travel north to take on Warringah.

Check out all the latest team news below.

Hunter v Eastwood

Hunter and Eastwood will both be looking to secure their spot at the top end of the Shute Shield ladder when they meet in a bumper Good Friday clash in Newcastle. 

Hunter led Easts 12-7 late in their clash at Woollahra last weekend but conceded a maul try with 12 minutes remaining, then watched on as Cooper Whiteside slotted a penalty goal after the full time siren from near hallway to steal two competition points from the Wildfires. 

Despite the last minute loss, last week’s performance was enough to suggest the Wildfires are back to their best in 2025 and are unchanged heading into Friday’s clash. 

Led by Tane Edmed and Jack McGregor, Eastwood were far too good for Souths at home last week and lead the competition heading into round three. 

The Woodies travel for the first time this season though, something they struggled with in 2024, and will be without both Edmed and McGregor. Prop Iain Carmichael, lock Nick Henderson, flyhalf Harry Snook and outside back Cole Spinks have all been added to the Woodies starting XV. 

Hunter (1-15)

Bo Abra, Bruce Kauika-Petersen, Lachlan Hodges, Kirk Tufuga, Daniel Maiava, Elyjah Crosswell, Donny Freeman,Phil Talaileva, Logan Love, Connor Winchester, Frankie Nowell, Ueta Tufuga, Sione Taufui, Brendan Palmer, Elisapeta Alofipo.

Eastwood (1-15)

Iain Carmichael, Jayden Henderson, Jackson Clarke, Nick Henderson, Jhy Legg, Daniel Stovold, Harry Turner, Brian Tuilagi, Lachie Albert, Harry Snook, Cole Spinks, Michael Stringer, JL Bacon, Lachlan Shelley, Isaac Crowe.

Southern Districts v Manly

Both Souths and Manly will be desperate to claim their first wins of the season when they meet at Forshaw on Saturday. 

After holding their own until late against Easts in the opening round, Souths were outclassed at TG Millner last weekend and will need to improve significantly to challenge the Marlins. 

Issac Clark, Jake Douglas and Max Freeman have been added to the forward pack, while former Norths outside back Winiata Cherrington will make his run on debut for the Rebels. 

Manly coach Sam Lane has swung the axe after his side’s disappointing loss to the Two Blues last week. 

Just seven players that started at Granville last week will start again this week. Zane Marolt will start at lock, while scrum half Jack Stafford has been named at flyhalf. 

Former Cardiff No.9 Jamie Hill will make his first start at the base of the scrum, while English recruit George Simpson has been named at fullback.

Southern Districts (1-15)

Sam Miller, Lachlan Frean, Isaac Clark, Jonty Ravenhill, Jake Douglas, Max Freeman, Alex Crotti, Aston Vaiotu, Josh Noonan, Mark Balaski, Winiata Cherrington, Gavin Wood, Damien Faiane, Caleb Beams, Isaac Kneepkens.

Manly (1-15)

Fred Kaihea, Davea Teoteo, Maka Mafileo, Zane Marolt, Justin Mataele, Ethan Cutler,Hunter Ward, Sione Misiloi, Jamie Hill, Jack Stafford, Yool Yool, Kynan Stowers-Smith, Charlie Powell, Wilson Dulieu, George Simpson.

Gordon v West Harbour

After beating Norths in the first North Shore derby of 2025 last weekend, Gordon coach Harry Fehily has further strengthened his side with former Two Blues and Moana Pasifika utility Otu Mausia named to start at flyhalf for the Stags against West Harbour. 

Ben Holman and Cass Clinton will also start for the first time this year in the forwards, while Theo Manihera will start at No.13. 

West Harbour were disappointing in a 52-point drubbing at Rat Park last week. The Pirates have been boosted by the inclusion of Waratahs forward Ale Aho at lock though, while former Marlins forward Sau Ofahengaue will also start his first game for his new club.

Drew Sellers and Matt Whelan are the only two backs to hold their spot following last week’s loss, with flyhalf James Faiva a big in for the Pirates after playing off the bench last week. 

Gordon (1-15)

Liam Usher, Ryan Jackson, Tristan Fuli, Ben Holman, Prez Tufuga, Tom Horan, Cass Clinton, Milan Basson, Harry Emery, Otu Mausia, Brandon Quinn, Barrie Karea, Theo Manihera, Oli Arcus, Will Kaye.

West Harbour (1-15)

Sonny Satuala, Rob Iramescu, Duane Aholelei, Ale Aho, Sau Ofahengaue, Ethan Halatokoua, Will Yates, Onehunga Havili Kaufusi, Drew Sellers, James Faiva, Harrison Blake, Jack Sheridan, Taine Rush, Matt Whelan, Trent Bax.

Northern Suburbs v Eastern Suburbs

After a disappointing loss against rivals Gordon last week, Norths host reigning premiers Easts on Saturday afternoon in a grand final rematch. 

Prop Apolosi Ranawai replaces Sifa Amone in the starting side, while 28-year old English lock Theo Vukasinovic will make his Shute Shield debut. Vukašinović played MLR last year and is a former England U20s representative. 

Norths backline is unchanged. 

Easts got out of jail against a very good Hunter side at Woollahra last week and will look to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they cross the Harbour Bridge on Easter Saturday. 

The Beasties forward pack remains unchanged, but Ben Batger will welcome back Waratahs flyhalf Jack Bowen and Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster for the grand final rematch. 

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

George Thornton, James Margan, Apolosi Ranawai, Theo Vukasinovic, Tom Everard, Boston Kerapa, Marshall Le Maitre, Baden Godfrey, Seamus Smith, Matt Minogue, Carrick McDonough, Josh Barr, Nathan Russell, Callum Smirker, Tom Bacon.

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

Rob Cobb, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Reon Lowery, Josh Bokser, Jack Tougher Wells, Ciaran Booth, Nick Cross, George Gibson, Jonny Van der Velde, Jack Bowen, Cooper Whiteside, Joe Wadman, Otto Serfontein, Darby Lancaster, Chris Bell.

Randwick v Western Sydney

Randwick lost at the death against Uni last weekend, then backed up to beat an Eddie Jones coached Japan U23s team after the buzzer on Tuesday. 

A number of players have been named to play their third game in eight days. Ben Zucchiat and Will Ngatai are new faces in the backline though at No.12 and No.14 respectively 

The Two Blues bounced back from a disappointing round one performance to beat Manly at home last weekend. Paula Waqa is back in the tight five for the Two Blues, but Sailosi Tagicakibau has lost Waratah Felix Kalapu for the trip to Coogee. 

Western Sydney’s backline is unchanged from last weekend. 

Randwick (1-15)

Olly Adkins, Oniti Finau, Tumoana Poata, Mick Melia, Angus Houston, Max Moore, Joel Ellis, Isi Naisarani, Tim Sippel, James Hendren, Joe Browning, Ben Zucchiati, Hamish Comonte, Will Ngatai, Gage Phillips.

Western Sydney (1-15)

Kaynan Siteine-Tua, Ezekiel Seia, Darius Mafileo, Paula Waqa, Manasa Rokosuka, Cruise Dunster, Fionn Clifford, Tovo Faleafa, Rilloy Suesue, Reece Suesue, Hosea Saumaki, Abel Magalogo, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Cody Nordstrom, Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong.

Warringah v Sydney Uni

Warringah looked more like the team that went deep into the finals last year in a 52-0 victory over West Harbour last weekend. 

Josh Holmes has made just one change to his side to face Sydney Uni, with Waratahs contracted outside back Jackson Ropata to start on the wing. 

Sydney Uni struck late to beat Randwick last week and will look to make it three wins on the trot when they travel north to Rat Park. 

Despite that, Todd Louden has named a new-look front row with Paddy Tagg, Declan Moore and Jackson Stiel set to start up front and Mali Manukia to wear the No.6 jersey. 

Young guns Hwi Sharples and Joey Fowler also return from Aussie U20s duties and will start in the halves. 

Warringah (1-15)

Teki Latu, Wes Thomas, Pat La Torraca, Phil Potgieter, Sam Thomson, Keelan Whitman, Jake Barnabas, Chlayton Frans, Ben Fuhuniu, Coby Miln, Archie Saunders, Tyson Davis, Lebron Naea, Jackson Ropata, Ben Marr.

Sydney Uni (1-15)

Paddy Tagg, Declan Moore, Jackson Stiel, Cam Wood, Nathaniel Panozzo, Mali Manukia, Sam Allsopp, Will Gibson, Hwi Sharples, Joey Fowler, Jack Matthews, Jullien Caillol, Tom Watts, Benjy Joseland, James Kane.