ROCHDALE HORNETS v OLDHAM

OLD foes Rochdale and Oldham lock horns again with Hornets still on a high following their pre-season success in the Law Cup.

Hornets overran Oldham to the tune of 42-8 in their annual charity game but coach Darren Abram is aware that it will be a different kettle of fist at Spotland on Sunday.

With ex-Oldham skipper Phil Farrell likely to make his debut against his former club and Matt Sturm and Paul Norman both added to Hornets’ squad it puts the Spotland men in the driving seat yet again.

Danny Wood’s retirement ahead of the start of the season because of travel problems from Derby has left a hole in Abram’s plans, but he has sufficient players on the staff to plug the gap.

Oldham are likely to be without scrum half Chris Hough, while question marks hang over the fitness of prop Andy Bailey and Mark Roberts.

Coach John Pendlebury has recruited well since he took over, but he will still look to such players as Simon Svabic and Chris Barber to continue their critical roles in the team.

“Maybe Rochdale got the upper hand in the Law Cup because we switched players about too much, but we needed to take a look at everyone on the day. Things will be different this time,’’ forecasted Pendlebury