Championship One preview: Gateshead v Gloucestershire

Gateshead Thunder are without Tom Lynch for Sunday’s Kingstone Press Championship One clash with Gloucestershire All Golds.

Lynch was given a one-match ban for punching in a recent Tetley’s Challenge Cup tie against Swinton Lions.

Joe Brown and Matt Barron will both make their 100th Gateshead appearance if selected for Sunday’s match as coach Stanley Gene aims for a second win of the year.

But the All Golds are sure to pose a serious challenge after deciding to travel to the north east on Saturday.

Gloucestershire are also boosted by the loan signings of Rochdale’s Steve Roper and Sheffield’s Corey Hanson, with both set to make their debut against Gateshead.

All Golds coach Brad Hepi said: “This is one of those games that both teams will expect to win. We’re capable of winning it, but so are they. Whoever turns up and performs will get the result.

“We’ve made a good start to the season, almost getting a win against York and then beating South Wales Scorpions, so we’ll go up there reasonably confident that we can do the job.”