Image: JB Photography 

Just six competition points seperate competition leaders Norths and seventh placed Western Sydney heading into a crucial round of rugby this weekend. Check out all the latest team news and analysis before Saturday.

Gordon v Randwick 

Gordon have made two changes to the team that dominated Manly at Manly Oval last week. Alex Humfrey returns to the starting side in the second row, while Tom Horan will start at No.7. 

Randwick have made a number of changes to the team that fell short in last year’s grand final rematch. 

21-year old former Leicester Tigers prop Tim Hoyt will start in the front row and Jamie Richward returns to the Wicks’ backrow. 

In the backs, Tim Sippel will start at scrumhalf, Joe Browning will start on the wing and James Hendren returns to fullback following the injury to Max Jorgensen. 

Gordon (1-15)

Liam Usher, Will Bremner, Oliver Hannan, Jack Margin, Alex Humfrey, Presley Tufuga, Tom Horan, Milan Basson, Joe Snow, Ben Pollack, Brandon Quinn, Barrie Karea, Kainoa Gudgeon, Oliver Arcus, Will Kaye.

Randwick (1-15)

Olly Adkins, Val Yates, Tim Hoyt, Tom Nowlan, Angus Houston, Jamie Rickward, Tom Serhon, Ben Houston, Tim Sippel, Andrew Deegan, Joe Browning, Zac Carr, Jayden Blake, Christian Yassmin, James Hendren.

Eastwood v West Harbour

Eastwood produced their best performance of the season to beat Easts at Woollahra last weekend and have made just one change to their starting XV, with Aidan King to start at lock. 

West Harbour fell just short against Southern Districts and have made a number of changes to their side. 

Sonny Satuala returns and will pack down in the front row next to hooker Haitoni Hafoka, while in the backrow, Damien Fleming and Kaliova Nacina will both start. 

In the backs, Senijiale Dawai replaces Taine Rush on the wing.

Eastwood (1-15)

Salesi Ma’umalanga, Lachlan Frean, Will Goddard, Jack Parsons, Aidan King, Ben Dalton, Trystan Andrews, Jimmy Hokafonu, Tom Goddard, Harry Snook, Michael Stringer, Matt Minogue, Reece Tapine, JL Bacon, Lucas Vass.

West Harbour (1-15)

Titi Sonny Satuala, Haitoni Hafoka, Vaotangi Mafi, Otto-Louis Wendt, Jordan Brown, Damien Fleming, Kaliova Nacina, Sione Tau, Drew Sellers, Hunter Hannaford, Callum Sirker, Lucas Titherington, Matthew Whelan, Senijiale Dawai, Justin Marsters.

Western Sydney v Northern Suburbs

Western Sydney had a chance to beat Hunter at the death in Newcastle last week but couldn’t break the Wildfires’ defence in the closing minutes. 

Skipper Dan Faleafa returns for the Two Blues for Saturday’s clash at Eric Tweedale Stadium against Norths. 

Norths have made just one change, with prop George Thornton returning after missing last week’s 20-19 win over Randwick. 

Western Sydney (1-15)

Kaynan Siteine Tua, David Meki, Airi Hunt, Paula Waqa, Dan Faleafa, Marcel Faaofo, Heremoni Nepo, Tovo Faleafa, Rilloy Suesue, Reece Suesue, Tailiki Nadredre, Abel Magalogo, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Nik Vikena, Christian Papas.

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

George Thornton, Sam Kitchen, Michael Scott, Hamish Sinclair, Tom Smith, Boston Kerapa, Gary Bautz, Ed Timpson, Roan Frostwick, Jude Gibbs, Carrick McDonough, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Seb Cameron, Matt Ryan.

Warringah v Eastern Suburbs

After fighting back from 26-10 down with 10 minutes remaining to beat Sydney Uni last week, Warringah return to Rat Park to host Easts. 

Josh Holmes has named Jayden Lynch and Wayne Borsak to start in the front row for the first time this year, while Rory Suttor returns to the forward pack at lock. 

In the backs, try scoring hero Conor Hickey will start at outside centre after making a big impact off the bench last week. 

Easts conceded an 80th minute try in a 39-36 loss to Eastwood last week. Beasties coach Ben Batger has added Faalelei Sione and Josh Smith to his starting front row. 

In the backs, Harry Wilson is out and has been replaced by talented Kiwi Luke Glen in the No.13 jersey. 

Warringah (1-15)

Jayden Lynch, Wes Thomas, Wayne Borsak, Sam Thomson, Rory Suttor, Charlie McKill, Zac Barnabas, Chlayton Frans, Ben Fuhiniu, Coby Miln, Harvey Elms, Tyson Davis, Conor Hickey, Jayden Pearce, Ben Marr. 

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

Faalelei Sione, Josh Smith, Reon Lowery, Josh Bokser, Harison Mataele, Archie Gavin, Jamie Adamson, George Gibson, Seb Strang, Jack Bowen, Calum Randle, Mosese Tuipulotu, Luke Glen, Cooper Whiteside, Chris Bell.

Sydney Uni v Hunter

After giving up a 16-point lead in the final 10 minutes of last week’s narrow loss to Warringah, Uni coach Todd Louden has stuck with his young side ahead of a crucial match against Hunter on Saturday. 

Brad Amituanai will start at prop and Tom Morrison will start on the wing in the only changes. 

Hunter held on for a tight 17-15 victory over the Two Blues last week. Andrew Tuala will start at hooker for the Wildfires. 

In the backs, Nick Murray returns at scrumhalf, Nate De Tierry has been named at fullback and Frankie Nowell will start on the wing. 

Sydney Uni (1-15)

Paddy Tagg, Ciaran Loh, Bradley Amituanai, Luke Ratcliff, Clem Halaholo, Angus Allen, Sam Allsopp, Jack McCalman, Theo Strang, Sam Bignold, George Clark, Eddie Poolman, Henry Clunies-Ross, Tom Morrison, Jack Matthews.

Hunter (1-15)

Tau Koloamatangi, Andrew Tuala, Bo Abra, Jonathan Toelupe, Rob Puli’uvea, Elyjah Crosswell, Donny Freeman, George Noa, Nick Murray, Ethan Morgan, Frankie Nowell, Ueta Tufuga, Thomas Watson, Veni Vahai, Nathan de Thierry.

Southern Districts v Manly

Southern Districts will look to claim back to back wins for the first time this year when they host Manly on Back to Port Hacking Day. 

Recruits Kaylam Tytherleigh and Elliot Cichero will both start in the backrow for the first time this year. 

Manly coach Chris Delooze has made widespread changes to his side following their disappointing loss to Gordon last week. 

Aaron Blacklock, Rory Bartle, Sam Daly, Ruan Du Ploy and Robbie McIntosh have all been benched, with Hugo Patterson, Byron Leach and Sam Fischli to start in the forwards and Jamie Hill and Brendan Owen to start in the halves for the Marlins.

Southern Districts (1-15)

Isaac Clark, James Douglas, Kyle Devine, Phil Potgieter, Jake Douglas, Kaylam Tytherleigh, Elliot Cichero, Alan Fitzgerald, Liam Blyde, Tom Smith, Oscar Schmidt-Uili, Lumafale Lualua, Gavin Wood, Declan Mulcahy, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Manly (1-15)

Neori Nadruku, Hugo Patterson, Maka Mafileo, Justin Mataele, Byron Leach, Sam Fischli, Karl Main, Ben Gleeson, Jamie Hill, Brendan Owen, Fraser Toohey, Ollie Cummins, Fraser Conway, Ollie Horne, Wilson Dulieu.