Brods beat Ilkley 38-24 in September with the help of a Martin Jackson brace of tries and have continued to struggle since that fixture.

However, if ever Brods were walking into a trap then this is it. Ilkley will fancy turning them over and the Woodhead men will have to continue their recent good form to take the points.

Brods produced one of their finest recent performances two seasons ago when they defeated the then league higher Ilkley in the NPI Cup.

The level of performance will have to emulate that if Brods are to end a three match losing run. This fixture and the Carlisle game at home on the 19th could shape the second half of Brods' campaign.

Brods were penalised out of the game at Hartlepool and while some of the decisions were mystifying and harsh to say the least, the players must look hard at the how they play at the contact areas in attack and defence and ensure that Ilkley are not allowed to play on the back of Brods' errors.

Captain Ollie Akroyd will demand a more disciplined performance and will highlight the importance of being more clinical in scoring areas which is crucial at this level. The side shows changes – two in the pack and one at half-back. Matt Willis returns after missing last week with a calf injury. Keiron Nalton is unlucky to be dropped to the bench but Willis gives more ball carrying ability and crucially provides an unlimited supply of lineout ball, an area that let Brods down last week.

The other change is at blindside flanker, Stevie Shaw returning to the side. He takes the place of Kyle Millward, a late call up, last week.

Millward was superb on his league debut and is very unlucky to be left out but the selectors were impressed and now have another player good enough at this level that can be called upon when required. Shaw has been a star performer this season and will add some experience and guile to the side.

The rest of the pack is unchanged with Dave Skinner, Jamie McLaughlin and Ben Morrill in the front row, the outstanding Tom Hanson joins Willis in the second row and Akroyd and youngster Andy Finn complete the back row.

The only other change is at scrum-half as Richard Cole is unavailable. Dale Gardiner takes the number 9 shirt. Gardiner is an experienced campaigner and is at his best in the heavier conditions. His sniping on the fringes should give Brods momentum to get behind Ilkley.

The back line is unchanged after last week with Gareth Standeven struggling with a groin injury, on the bench. The attack at Hartlepool was brilliant at times, Richard Holborough at his best and Liam Scott scoring a scintillating try from 40 metres. Chances were also missed and this was crucial in allowing Hartlepool back into the game.

Ian Armitage will work on this in training this week and urge his men to use their potent finishers, James Marshall, Aaron Fowler and Matty Hoyle.

This is another crucial fixture that has to be targeted as an opportunity to collect two more points. Brods have been superb in recent weeks and haven't collected any points. On Saturday the result is everything. The players must enter the game with the sole purpose of picking up two points and commit everything to coming out on top.

The second team is away at Bradford Salem (2.15) and has a very strong squad available. Callum Thompson, Rob Jennings, Nabeel Salama, Millward, Andy Clay, Christus Ferneyhough and Scott Parkin have all played at 1st XV level this season and will be looking to impress and regain their places whilst Luke Donlan, Matthew Reed, Ian Mallard and Chris Green will be looking to impress the selectors.

Old Brodleians 1st XV away at Ilkley: Skinner D, Morrill, Mclaughlin, Willis, Hanson, Shaw, Finn, Akroyd, Gardiner, Holborough, Fowler, Hotham, Scott L, Hoyle M, Marshall. Reps Skinner A, Nalton, Standeven G

Old Brodleians 2nd XV away at Bradford Salem: Thompson, Fee, Donlan, Reed, Womersley, Jennings, Salama, Millward, Mallard, O'Connor, Gaughen, Clay, Scott N, Ferneyhough, Chappell, Parkin, Smith B, Murgatroyd, Severn, Barker, Turner, Mclean, Vollens, Green