Both Football Club and Valley will be missing key players when they meet for the first time in Super Sixes League action tonight at Happy Valley (8pm).
Club will be hoping that captain and fullback Matt Reede will be back from a business trip as they confront their neighbours and rivals. While a question mark surrounds Reede's appearance, Club will definitely be without flyhalf Dave Wigley and flanker Adam Horler.
'We won't be at full strength,' said coach Jim Rowark yesterday.
While any game against Valley is taken seriously, Rowark was not unduly worried as the format of the competition allows teams to still be in contention for the title even if they lose a couple or more games in the first round.
Valley will be without forwards Rob Grindlay and Dean Herewini, while backs Carl Murray, Robin Bredbury and Jon Clarke are injured.
'It will be a makeshift team. But the motivation to beat Club will be there. They are the defending champions and everyone will be out to topple them,' said Valley captain Paul Dingley.