Cocker set for Scorpions debut

Semesi Cocker could make his home debut after featuring for South Wales Scorpions during last week’s 40-10 defeat at Doncaster.

The Tongan international joined the club from Rochdale Hornets and will add plenty of power to Scorpions’ ranks.

Scorpions’ director of rugby Mark Rowley said: “He’s an old fashioned strong forward that the Welsh rugby crowd are used to seeing. He’s had a lot of experience at this level and we know that he’ll do well for us this season.”

Tom Burnell, Barrie Phillips and new signing Mike Stubbs – a 6ft 4in prop recruited from Pontypool RFC – are all in contention for the Scorpions.

Whitehaven face their third fixture in a week as a gruelling schedule takes its toll.

‘Haven were beaten 60-6 by Halifax on Wednesday night, just three days after David Seeds’ men recorded a 30-22 win over Rochdale.

Now they face the long trip to South Wales to round off a difficult week.

Coach Seeds is likely to make a number of changes to the team that faced Halifax in midweek as he bids to keep his players fresh.