HOLDERS Bradford Salem, now under the captaincy of fly half Andy Robinson, are handing out two debuts tomorrow as they start their defence of the Yorkshire Shield with a first-round tie at familiar foes Wath-upon-Dearne.

No 8 Chad Bains, who has union experience back in Canada, has been signed from rugby league club Bradford Dudley Hill, while Harry Hall has come from neighbours and league rivals Bradford & Bingley.

Director of rugby Sam Gardner, who has successfully come through Salem's pre-season victories at Roundhegians and Leeds Modernians, slots in at centre alongside Hall.

Typically as it is a Bank Holiday weekend, Salem are not at full strength, however, against opponents they have met in this event for the past four seasons.

Hence the second-row combination is Ben Scarbrough and Dean McNicholl, while further nous is added to the front row by the presence of the equally experienced John Bradbury and Simon Markey.

Bradford & Bingley, who entertain Bridlington, only beaten by Salem in extra time in last May's final at Hull Ionians, also hand out two starting debuts.

They go to hooker Mafiu Akaualoa, a New Zealander who is a contact of No 8 Tom Cummins, and centre Max Dominy, who comes to Wagon Lane via the Northampton connection of former full-time player Phil Greaves.

Young Josh Seal also gets the chance to stake a claim to the centre berth, while former colts captain Tom Booth is on the bench, having impressed in the 24-19 pre-season victory at Kendal last Saturday.

Old Grovians, promoted last season, get an early chance to see the standard in Yorkshire Division Two with their first-round tie at Pontefract, while league derby foes Keighley also face Yorkshire One opposition away in Ripon.

In the first round of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy, Wibsey, buoyed by five new signings, face Ossett at Northfield Road.

Scrum half Bradley Tattersall and utility back Matt Cumberworth have come from stablemates Wibsey Warriors, while fly half James Dewhirst and centre or winger Kyle Carter have arrived from Wyke and Bradford Dudley Hill respectively.

The only player from any distance is former Didcot Town flanker Marcus Grimes.

Bradford & Bingley (home to Bridlington): B Greaves; A Sutcliffe, M Dominy, J Seal, A Wellington; S Driver, R Scull; M Crotch, M Akaualoa, R Wederall, H Jeffrey, B Mitchell, M Cochrane, T Cummins, L Peacock. Replacements: R Raper, T Booth, S Jeffrey, J Brown.

Bradford Salem (at Wath): D Belcher; R Smith, H Hall, S Gardner, S Savage; A Robinson, M Child; J Bradbury, S Markey, R McKessar, B Scarbrough, D McNicholl, D Snowden, C Bain, J Fawcett. Replacements: C Clough, J Ashworth, A N Other, S O Else.