New England Rugby: Tamworth faces COVID disruption ahead of season opener against St Alberts

Between COVID, new babies and work commitments the Magpies' numbers have been so depleted it has been a scramble just to get a first grade side and the second grade and third grade games have subsequently been postponed.

At the last zone meeting the potential impact of COVID on clubs was discussed and the provision was made to defer games.

READ ALSO:

Magpies coach Andrew Jack said he had lost a number of players this week due to COVID.

It's made for a disrupted preparation.

"It's had it's challenges," Jack said.

"In saying that we have had some new faces turn up."

The result is "a lot of debutants".

Jack estimated they will have at least seven players either playing their first game of first grade for the Magpies or in a new position.

Training since late last year, he said there had been "a bit more spring in the step" at training this week with the prospect of a game at the end of it.

"Everyone is a little edgy," he said.

"They just want to get into it."

They head in bouyed by some "good pre-season games" that have given an "indication of what can occur".

"The boys have picked up the new formations we're playing, they're enjoying what's going on," Jack said.

"If we maintain our structure and discipline it will be a good result."

New captain Blake Clout will be one of their key players in the backline, along with new arrival Travis Henderson at fullback and new halves pairing Jack Hannaford and Zac Johns.

Hannaford has come back to Tamworth after moving away for work and will start at five-eighth.

In the forwards Jack will be looking to Callum McPherson and Nat Ellerton in the second row, and Adam Wallace up front to lead the way.

"We've got some new young bucks (too)," he added.

Breakaway Brock Bayles is one of those.

"He's some up the ranks from Farrer," he said.

"It's his first senior game, he's got a lot of potential."

The women will kick things off at Bellevue Oval at 2.15pm with first grade following at 3.15pm.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: