Smith could face former teammates

Byron Smith moved from Batley to Dewsbury during the close season and could make his Rams debut on Boxing Day.

The 30-year-old Welsh international prop moved across the valley during the close season and is desperate to make his first Rams appearance against his former club.

Both sides have agreed to field 20 players, with unlimited substitutions, but the Rams and Bulldogs will be without key personnel, who are recovering from injury.

Batley’s Sam Scott and Ayden Faal have had shoulder operations during the close season and while rehabilitation is going well, neither will be fit to feature.

Luke Blake, who scored the winning try for Batley at Dewsbury on Boxing Day last season, has had a wrist operation and is also out.

New signing Brad Hey broke his foot in training and is currently in an air cast.

Keegan Hirst has also picked up an injury in training and is set to miss the start of the season.

Ryan Fieldhouse will miss the start of the new season having joined the Rams from Halifax, while Stephen Nash and Greg Scott are also definitely out for Dewsbury.

Aaron Brown suffered knee ligament damage in Dewsbury’s Challenge Cup game with Wigan, which ended his season, and although he has returned to full training, will not be risked against the Bulldogs.