RHYS Morgan admits it was a big relief to see his side register their first win of the new rugby season on Saturday.

The 26-24 National league Three North victory at Morley was hard-earned.

It also came at a price with centre Chris Gemmell suffering a shoulder injury. He will miss this Saturday’s home game with unbeaten Hull at Stacks Field and Morgan has to decide how to replace him.

The head of rugby said: “Getting a win at Morley was a big lift. Every coach will tell you that they do not like waiting too long for that first victory.”

He also suggested that he won’t be repeating the reshuffle he ordered when Gemmell was injured at Morley.

He moved full back Ben Magee to wing, switched winger Lewis Johnston to outside centre, moved his son Elliot to inside centre and switched skipper Joe Rowntree to full back so that replacement Kirk Arundale could play at scrum half.

It is more likely that JH Johnson will return on the wing with Morgan and Johnston forming the centre pairing.

“I think the lads were surprised I made so many changes when Chris was injured.

“I feel that the move paid off, but it isn’t something I really want to repeat.”

Morgan will also be forced to make a change in the front row as the dependable Josh Cockerham is unavailable for the clash with a Hull side that did the double over Ilkley last season.

“We will give that some thought at our selection meeting because we do have more options now than we had in the past. There is a lot of competition for places which is something we have wanted for a long time,” added Morgan.