Rugby Union: Build-up blighted by injury woes.

Byline: By NICK PUREWAL

INJURIES dominate team issues for both Blaydon and Tynedale as the North East sides return to league action on Saturday.

After storming to the National Three North title last year, Tynedale join the National Two ranks for the first time, reigniting hostilities with rivals Blaydon, who will look to build on a solid debut in the division last term.

Blaydon start with a trip to Waterloo, but will be without new signing from Sale, winger Stuart Eborall, who broke his leg in last week's pre-season 62-5 win over Harrogate.

Former Bristol and Bath winger Brendon Daniel is the biggest name among the 20 new faces, the 31-year-old Kiwi returning to English rugby after a stint with Santa Monica.

Blaydon's biggest loss will probably be full-back Ralph Smith, who has headed south and joined up with Henley, but director of rugby Nick Gandy is looking forward to a successful season.

Gandy said: "The first two months will be vital for us, because it will take about that long for the league to settle down and for everyone to find out where they are.

"There are a few sides who are all but fully professional, and that means this will probably be our toughest test yet. We did not start well last year and that meant there was a fair bit of pressure on the second half of the season, so we do not want a repeat of that.

"We finished above Waterloo last year, so we will be aiming to go across there and earn a result, but we certainly will not be taking anything for granted."

Tynedale, meanwhile, are without their new captain before a ball has even been kicked.

Jamie Murray is still battling past the final stages of rehabilitation from the anterior cruciate ligament tear that kept him out for the whole of last season, so brother Andrew takes the armband against Mounts Bay.

Phil Belgian is no longer captain, but is still going strong, though back trouble means he is a doubt for the Tynedale Park clash.

Tynedale coach Tom Borthwick has challenged his players to reproduce the brand of rugby that served them so well last term.

He said: "This is a big step into the unknown for us really, but we performed creditably in the cup against Manchester last season who were in National Two then.

"We were drawing with them at full time but lost in extra time, so hopefully that gives us some barometer of what to expect.

"We also had a good win at Fylde last weekend, so if we can pick up where we left off last year we will be in good shape."