Norths host Warringah and Manly take on Randwick in two bumper Shute Shield clashes that should teach us more about four genuine title contenders this weekend.

Elsewhere, Easts travel to Newcastle to face a desperate Hunter outfit, the Two Blues host Eastwood, West Harbour face Uni and Gordon play Souths. Check out all the team news and analysis below.

Northern Suburbs v Warringah

Norths will be looking to avoid a third straight loss when they host competition leaders Warringah on Saturday afternoon. 

Backrower Boston Kerapa will miss the clash, with Charlie Jeavons-Fellows set to start in his place. 

The in-form Rats have received a boost with Ben Marr named on the bench after missing last week’s win in Newcastle. Pat La Torraca will start at prop in the only other change. 

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

Brady Dawson, James Margan, Michael Scott, Saxon Gillies, Tom Smith, Ed Timpson, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows, Luke Gersekowski, Roan Frostwick, Jude Gibbs, Carrick McDonough, Harry Burey, Luke Ryan, Seb Cameron, Matt Ryan.

Warringah (1-15)

Tonga Tangitau, Wes Thomas, Pat La Torraca, Sam Thomson, Rory Suttor, Charlie McKill, Zac Barnabas, Chlayton Frans, Ben Fuhiniu, Coby Miln, Esera Chee Kam, Tyson Davis, Conor Hickey, Archie Saunders, Harvey Elms.

Manly v Randwick

Manly will take plenty of confidence into their clash against the defending premiers after a strong showing against Western Sydney at home last week. 

Hunter Ward returns after a stint with the Waratahs, while Ethan Cutler has been named at lock. 

Randwick have won just one match away from Coogee so far this year but will look to change that when they head to Manly. 

Mitch Watts will start at lock in the only change to the side that beat West Harbour fairly comfortably last weekend. 

Manly (1-15)

Neori Nadruku, Aaron Blacklock, Maka Mafileo, Justin Mataele, Ethan Cutler, Hunter Ward, Mali Manukia, Ben Gleeson, Jamie Hill, Brendan Owen, Fraser Toohey, Ollie Cummins, Byron Sharwood, Wilson Dulieu, Ollie Horne.

Randwick (1-15)

Olly Adkins, Louis Robinson, Tim Hoyt, Mitch Watts, Angus Houston, Joel Ellis, Tom Serhon, Ben Houston, Tim Sippel, Andrew Deegan, Joe Browning, Zac Carr, Jayden Blake, Christian Yassmin, James Hendren.

Hunter v Eastern Suburbs

Easts flyhalf Jack Bowen will miss Saturday’s road trip to Newcastle after being named on the bench for the Waratahs.

Chris Bell will start at flyhalf and Luke Glen at fullback in a Beasties side playing with plenty of confidence after a win over Norths last week. 

Hunter desperately need a win and were poor at home against Warringah in round seven. Scott Coleman has made just one change to his side from last weekend, with Veni Vahai returning to the starting XV after playing from the bench against the Rats. 

Hunter (1-15)

Angus Websdale, Andrew Tuala, Bo Abra, George Noa, Rob Puli’uvea, Elyjah Crosswell, Donny Freeman, Asaeli Lehauli, Nick Murray, Ethan Morgan, Veni Vahai, Ueta Tufuga, Thomas Watson, Isaac Ulberg, Nathan de Thierry.

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

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

Western Sydney v Eastwood

Both the Two Blues and Woodies were beaten last weekend but in very different circumstances. 

Despite scoring a few late tries, Western Sydney were trounced by Manly at Manly Oval, while Eastwood conceded a try that was converted from near the sideline after the full time buzzer to fall one point short against Gordon. 

The Two Blues welcome back Sitiveni Moceidreke at No.13 and Eastwood coach Dave Telfer has added Reece Tapine to his starting side to mark him. 

Elsewhere, former Scotland U20s hooker Iain Carmichael will make his first start in the Shute Shield for the Woodies. 

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.

Eastwood (1-15)

Salesi Ma’umalanga, Iain Carmichael, Will Goddard, Jack Parsons, Aidan King, Ben Dalton, Harry Turner, Jimmy Hokafonu, Josh Hickey, Matt Minogue, James McGregor, Michael Stringer, Reece Tapine, JL Bacon, Lucas Vass.

West Harbour v Sydney Uni

After scoring a try against Randwick last week, West Harbour outside back Vuate Karawalevu will miss Saturday’s clash against Uni after being recalled to the Waratahs. 

Justin Marsters will start at fullback, with Matthew Whelan slotting in at outside centre. 

In the forwards, lock Liam Lord and No.8 Sione Tau have been named to start for the Pirates. 

Sydney Uni coach Todd Louden has made a number of changes to his side that fell short against Southern Districts last weekend. 

Isi Naisarani will start at No.8 with Luke Ratcliff and Iian Evans to start in the second row. 

In the backs, Aussie U20s No.9 Hwi Sharples will start and Jack Matthews returns on the wing. 

West Harbour (1-15)

Titi Sonny Satuala, Raukawa Neems, Vaotangi Mafi, Liam Lord, Otto-Louis Wendt, Damien Fleming, Kaliova Nacina, Sione Tau, Drew Sellers, Hunter Hannaford, Callum Sirker, Lucas Titherington, Matthew Whelan, Senijiale Dawai, Justin Marsters.

Sydney Uni (1-15)

Paddy Tagg, Ciaran Loh, Sione Harris, Luke Ratcliff, Ilan Evans, Angus Allen, Jack McCalman, Isi Naisarani, Hwi Sharples, Henry James, Jack Matthews, Eddie Poolman, Henry Clunies – Ross, George Clark, Sam Bignold.

Gordon v Southern Districts 

Gordon snuck home against Eastwood last week but weren’t at their best against the Woodies. Harry Fehily has named an entirely new front row to face Souths with Siketi Tevao, Cameron Lewis and Tristan Fuli all added to the starting XV. 

Elsewhere, Alex Humfrey will start at lock and Barrie Karea returns at inside centre. 

For the Rebels, 35-year old veteran Brackin Karauria-Henry will start after playing from the bench last week. Karauria-Henry last played at Souths more than a decade ago and had stints with the Aussie 7s, Waratahs and Brumbies before moving to play in Japan. 

Joe Barakat also welcomes back No.8 Alan Fitzgerald for the match at Chatswood. 

Gordon (1-15)

Siketi Tevao, Cameron Lewis, Tristan Fuli, John Akau’ola-Laula, Alex Humfrey, Presley Tufuga, Tom Horan, Sosaia Moala, Joe Snow, Ben Pollack, Brandon Quinn, Barrie Karea, Kainoa Gudgeon, Oliver Arcus, Will Kaye.

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, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Declan Mulcahy, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.