Trinity Catholic College teacher Tony Flood will play his first match of the season for Lismore Rugby Club's First Grade side at Bangalow tomorrow.

Flood, who has had pins in his thumb removed, will play in the second row in a very different looking side, due to the NSW Country Rugby Union's Country Championships in Tamworth. Second rower Tyler Coveney, front rower Dylan Tulk and his dad Gavin are among those missing. Prop Cameron Bryant is still out for at least another week with injury.

Another new man is Nathan Anderson, who coach Ray Taylor said has returned to Lismore Rugby Park due to his children playing junior rugby.

"I think Nath played Junior Country Championships but dropped out the game. He said he's be interested in playing, so I said right you're in this weekend,m" said Taylor.

Winger Marcus Hannaway, who also plays rugby league for Marist Brothers Rams Reserve Grade side, excelled on his run-on debut against Casino last Saturday and is retained in the side. Another player who shone, particularly in the second half, was Reserve Grade forward Zane Hepton, who came on in the first half as a replacement. His unstoppable performance sees him make a start for the first time in First Grade.

Zane Hepton scored a try and proved unstoppable in the second half against Casino. Coach Ray Taylor wants him to do that for 80 minutes against Bangalow. Photo: Greg Martin

With other players missing, due to holidays, assistant coach Scott Lancaster plays on one wing.

"Bangalow is a club that we can beat. It is most disappointing that this weekend everyone is away. However, I accept, that Bangalow are also struggling but they will have a bench of Mullumbimby rugby players, whereas I am struggling to get a bench. We have already had to forfeit the Reserve Grade game," said Taylor.

The coach's half-time spray against Casino saw Lismore win the second half 21 points to 7 points and he wants the players to be fired up from the kick-off in Bangalow.

"The players must run hard, tackle hard, and see what happens. It's that simple," Taylor said.

Bangalow: 1. Nick Jones, 2. Sean Petrou, 3. Neil Moran, 4. Rob Wightman, 5. Angus Dickson, 6. John Turagabeci, 7. Josh Johns, 8. Dave Johnson, 9. Rowan Ozols (captain), 10. Kye Spence, 11. Jack Bensley, 12. Dan Hill, 13. Benson Lockyer, 14. Alex

Wadsworth, 15. Adam Brien

Lismore: 1. Nathan Anderson, 2. Jathan Von Bratt, 3. Marcus Ellison, 4. Ben Carroll, 5. Zane Hepton, 6. Tony Flood, 7. Brenden Williams (captain), 8. Angus MacDougall, 9. Jack Everingham, 10. Willie Fairweather, 11. Marcus Hannaway, 12. Cody

Johnston, 13. Jake Lennon,14. Scott Lancaster, 15. Andrew Sky

The kick-off at Bangalow is 3.15pm.

Far North Coast Rugby Round 6 (all tomorrow, First Grade 3.15pm)

Banagalow v Lismore

Casuarina Beach v Ballina

Casino v Grafton

Lennox Head v Byron Bay

Southern Cross University v Wollongbar Alstonville postponed