They will battle it out with the likely lads of Loughborough University after training sessions in which the edict of defence, defence and yet more defence was drilled into them.

Director of rugby Andy Howells was determined that lessons must be learned and faults eradicated after rearguard lapses contributed much to defeats at Caldy and against visitors Harrogate in their opening games in the higher sphere of National 2 North.

For he knows that any weaknesses will be exploited by Loughborough Students, who in contrast have begun their campaign in fine fashion.

They and Harrogate alone in the league have gathered all 10 points possible from the two matches, which includes the four-try bonus points.

And they have already re-established their reputation for attacking open play, with outside centre Paul Burgess emerging as the inspirational influence.

Howells said: "It will be tough. They are quick and sharp, and we must subdue them."

He has detected indecision among the backs as a factor in flawed defensive work, but insisted: "We are not far away – we will get there."

Without a doubt, the Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Shieldsmen have put in impressive periods of play during both games, which has made all the more galling the errors that have cost them dearly.

The outstanding feature of Harrogate's 29-14 win on Saturday was the brace of spectacular tries that winger Steve Parsons scored, weaving his way from near the halfway line through a seemingly spellbound defence.

That apart, Howells pointed out, the Yorkshiremen fought their way into the Westoe 22 just three times, but he declared: "They came away with points.

"That's how clinical they were, and that's how we need to be. We have to finish off the pressure we create and put our chances away."

It is hoped that Westoe will have the commanding presence at loose head prop of captain Gareth Nesbit, who will make a late decision on his fitness after limping off with a knee injury just after half-time.

He said: "We badly need a win, and I have every confidence in the squad we have.

"I believe we should stick with what we are doing, but just do it better. It is the little things that have let us down.

"It isn't the defence structure that is wrong, but individually people must take more responsibility. We just cannot afford for one-on-one tackles to be missed."

The Students ended mid-table last season, having won promotion as champions in the two previous campaigns.

However, they have set their sights higher this term, as under coach Dave Morris the new recruits have blended in well with established players.

As it happens, Westoe have played them twice at home in the National Trophy in recent years and won both times, the most recent being by a comfortable 29-3 margin in November last year.

But little significance can be drawn from that, as a university campus has a constantly changing population, and this time it is it Nesbit's men who have to make the 180-mile trip down the M1 (postcode L11 3TT for sat-nav users).

Aaron Myers, 23, who is in the England Sevens squad, will make his debut after being recruited from West Hartlepool, and fellow back row man Michael Ellery returns after being injured while playing for Newcastle Falcons' Academy side.

But flanker Ryan Foster, knocked out in a tackle and taken to hospital with suspected concussion on Saturday, is being rested.

All other teams are in league action, the Seconds entertaining Carlisle at Wood Terrace, the Thirds playing away at Berwick, and Fourths and Colts in action at Oakleigh Gardens against Jarrovians and Alnwick respectively, kick-offs at 3pm.