Dewsbury Rams players will be given "fair crack" to stake a claim against Batley Bulldogs, says Lee Greenwood

Dewsbury Rams head coach Lee Greenwood. Picture: Bruce Fitzgerald.

The Rams return to action for the first time in almost a year with a friendly against their Heavy Woollen rivals at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium at 1.30pm.

Dewsbury have one more friendly against Wakefield Trinity a week later before kicking off their competitive campaign against Whitehaven in the Challenge Cup on March 20.

“Everyone who is fit and available will get a run out on Saturday,” confirmed Greenwood.

The Tetley's Stadium, Dewsbury. Picture: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.

“While we want it to be a feisty derby where we are doing all we can to win, it is more about having a look at everybody.

“Everyone will get roughly half a game each, regardless of what the score or performance is like at that point. While you are playing the game, you should want to win and the lads will be doing everything they can.

“But that won’t be to the detriment of others getting a chance. Everyone will get a crack to show us what they can do.

“This one is important for the lads, they want to know themselves how far off they are. A lot of them will want to stake a claim for the team.”

Greenwood hopes to know his strongest 17 by the time that his side faces Whitehaven in the Challenge Cup.

He added: “It feels strange preparing for a game with how long it has been.

“We have got some new players that I need to see and I need to see what shape everybody is in. We are using it as a stepping stone for the season.

“When we go up to Whitehaven for the Challenge Cup, we want to field our strongest 17 and go and get a win.”