WORKINGTON Town will play their part in a historic chapter in rugby league development when they provide the first opposition for South Wales Scorpions.

The Scorpions, who will be making their bow in the professional ranks, will have 11 players including Andrew Gay, Steve Parry, Shaun Owens and Barrie Phillips who have never played at this level of rugby league previously.

Experienced rugby union player Neil Dallimore, who has played plenty of Welsh Premiership games, will be making his debut for the Scorpions, but it is his second ever game of rugby league.

Gil Dudson and Lee Williams will come back from the Crusaders as part of the duel registration partnership.

Former Crusader Aled James will skipper the team and it is hoped that he will sign a permanent deal in the near future, while his former fellow Crusader, Craig Richards returns from rugby union to play in this division for a second time.

The Scorpions will also have experience from the only Englishman in their squad, Loz Wildbore (pictured), who has played with a number of professional clubs including Widnes Vikings, Featherstone Rovers and York City Knights.

However they are disappointed that Phil Cushion has had to permanently pull out of the squad due to increased work and family commitments.

Scorpions assistant coach Hywel Davies said: "This will be a very tough challenge for the club on debut playing against a Workington team coming off the back of a win over Championship team, Whitehaven.

"We have had a very short and interrupted preparation for the start of the season. Having only been in existence as a club for a matter of weeks and no pre-season friendlies, this has left the team very much short of match practice and a conditioning base.

"Training has been going well in the initial weeks as far as energy and enthusiasm is concerned but a lack of rugby league experience and match practice will be difficult to overcome. The best of the Scorpions will not be seen for some time as the team gets used to the intensity, travel and commitment at this level. The infrastructure off the field is most important in season 2010."

Ahead of the trip south Workington coach Gary Charlton said: "The boys played really well at the weekend (against Whitehaven) and everyone at the club is pleased.

"We seem to be getting a bit better with every week. Our discipline was very good and our error rate was down a bit on what it has been. We've been playing a bit of rugby too, which is pleasing.

"I've told the lads at training that we've got to get our game in order and come up with something to stop the Scorpions, whatever they do."

Joe McKenna is definitely out through work commitments while both Kris Coward and Jack Pedley are rated 80-20 in favour of being fit to play from knocks picked-up on Sunday against Whitehaven.

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