The Royal Navy are preparing for their Tetley’s Challenge Cup second round tie against Skirlaugh with two warm-up games.

Old friendships and family ties will be renewed when the Navy face Gateshead Thunder and Hull Dockers ahead of their cup clash on Saturday March 9.

Gateshead – for whom Navy prop Richie Metcalfe played – provide the opposition on Saturday February 2 at Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, with a 6.30pm kick-off.

The forces side will then head north on Saturday February 23 where their head coach Danny Johnson will lead his side against his brother Martin’s Hull Dockers outfit.