New boys eager to make an impact

oldham RL coach Scott Naylor says he will ring the changes for Sunday’s home clash against Tony Benson’s Oxford.

SCRUM-HALF Steve Roper and prop Nathan Mason, recruited initially on month-long loan deals, are itching to be involved at Whitebank on Sunday (3pm kick off) in what promises to be one of the most compelling contests of the season.

A former Rochdale team mate of Mark Hobson and Dale Bloomfield, Wigan-born Roper (27) can't wait to put on an Oldham jersey for the first time against Oxford.

“I’m in my sixth season at Spotland, but I’m really excited at the prospect of playing for Oldham and showing what I can do,” he said.

Roper’s recruitment, added to Brett Robinson’s omission at Hunslet, is a clear indication coach Naylor wants more from his half-backs than he has seen so far.

He has been less concerned about his forwards, but such was the impact Mason (20) made in his four games here last year that Naylor couldn't get on the phone fast enough when he discovered Huddersfield were willing to loan him out again.

His arrival compensates for the temporary loss of Paddy Mooney, whose back injury could keep him out for three weeks or more.

It means Naylor still has five good props at his disposal in Jason Boults, Phil Joy, Michael Ward, Alex Davidson and Mason — a front-row designed to defeat the likes of Chris Clarke, Matty Hadden and David Ellison in the key battle of the heavies.

The Oldham coach said: “We need to get back to playing good rugby again for 80 minutes.

“We were extremely consistent last season and that’s something else we need to strive for.

“The boys know I wasn’t happy with their performance at Hunslet, but they have taken things on board and responded positively.”