A look around their web-site shows that we're off again to a proper
rugby club. Esher run teams at all levels, including no fewer than eight senior sides. And who wouldn't want to turn out for the Esher
Expendables? They're at home at 2pm on Saturday, so maybe early arriving Tykes will be able to see just how expendable they are.

Esher's record this season is not stellar, but it is solid. They can
certainly beat the teams at the bottom of the table. Narrow wins have come at Otley and Newbury, and a more comfortable win was had at home against Manchester. Last week they lost 19-43 at London Welsh. Their 8-46 loss at home to Exeter gives an idea of where the Tykes should be aiming. These results currently put them one place above the relegation places, assuming that five teams do go down.

So we should be confident. Tykes fans do not need to be reminded what we did to London Welsh at their place, and a record of eight wins in eight speaks for itself. But it's worth remembering that Esher gave Northampton a run for their money last season, and were in fact in the lead at half-time. The five points should be taken, but they're far from a certainty.

There are no household names in the Esher side, another reason why there's no pressure on them. They're a team that's not being given a chance, so they have nothing to lose. The Tykes need to be careful and, dare we say it, professional.

Now, just to put us off, Esher will be playing in pink on Saturday. Tykes fans who are careful with their money should note that special entrance rates are on offer for anyone arriving "pretty in pink", and ladies are offered "two for one" admission. I will be getting AramisTyke and DartagnanTyke to shave their legs ... This is all in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a cause that the travelling Tykes will doubtless be pleased to support.

Team-wise, anyone who saw some of the passes Henry Paul was putting in from 12 last weekend will be convinced he has to start there. Jason Strange is back at stand-off but for the rest it's presumably squad rotation time. The Tykes are in the happy position at the moment that they can choose from two or three for most positions and still be confident.

Up the Tykes!

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