Coach Lovegreen steps in for captain

RUGBY UNION:

OLDHAM RUFC kick off their North Lancs and Cumbria Division One campaign at Blackburn tomorrow (3pm).

With influential captain Gareth Barber out until the end of the month as he recovers from a groin operation, new coach Guy Lovegreen will step in at stand-off.

Also missing for Oldham are prop forwards Dean McEwen and Jordan McEwen, but Peter Scrivens will play his first game since October.

The league have introduced a new points system, with four for a win and two for a draw. There are also bonus points available for scoring four tries, while the losing team will receive a point if the margin of defeat is less than seven points.