Ilkley now know the size of the task facing them in North East One this season after their 27-19 defeat at Pocklington.

Their pack had huge problems coping with the power and strength of the opposition forwards.

Now head coach Rhys Morgan is calling on his men to step up their physicality ahead of their home clash with Percy Park on Saturday.

“We have been avoiding too much contact in training up to now because of the injuries we have, but this week we have brought it in to all our sessions.

“We have to muscle up and be ready for the challenge of playing against big packs.”

Ilkley’s cause wasn’t helped by the absence of key forwards, most notably the quartet of second rows Pete Small, James Spencer, Steve Burns and Ollie Renton.

The inexperienced James Colclough and John Pickersgill were given a baptism of fire, but Morgan said: “They will have gained a lot from the match.”

One of the areas where Ilkley are normally strong, the line-out, was a cause for concern at Pocklington so the news that both new signing Spencer and the experienced Ollie Renton are available again, will come as a comfort.

But Ilkley, who will again be led by centre Alastair Monks in the absence of the injured Stuart Vincent, do have fresh injury problems.

John Cooksey broke a hand at Pocklington and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Josh Cockerham’s neck injury is still causing problems so that’s two props out of the selection equation.

Morgan is philosophical about the situation. “We have players injured and others unavailable, but that is all part of being an amateur club,” he said