BOLTON RUFC head to Aspatria on Saturday targeting a winning start in what they hope will be an historic run to Twickenham.

The Avenue Street men have been selected as Lancashire’s representatives in the prestigious RFU Intermediate Cup and could be just four games away from an appearance at the home of English rugby next May.

First up in their group of three are Cumbrian representatives Aspatria – a team that has already beaten Bolton in the North Lancs/Cumbria Division this season.

The other team in the North West group is Cheshire representatives Anselmians from the Wirral who face Bolton in February.

The winners of the group will face the North East victors and then the Midlands champions en route to the final.

Bolton coach Dave Crouch is not looking that far ahead and admits the early reunion with Aspatria this weekend gives his side a chance of revenge for their league loss.

Crouch told The Bolton News: “This is a prestigious cup and we naturally want to do well in it.

“There is obviously an added incentive to gain some revenge over Aspatria for the league defeat. “We know all about them and we will have to match their strength but I believe we are a better rugby-playing side if we can replicate our home form on the road.”

Bolton go into the game having been frustrated without one last weekend when they got all the way to Wigton but saw their game postponed due to the referee being stuck in traffic.

They have also been dealt a blow with news in-form tight-head prop Chris Mee is set for a spell out with a leg injury.

But Crouch is staying positive and added: “We wanted a game last week after getting up to Cumbria but it didn’t happen.

“We will be ready for Saturday. Chris’ absence is a blow because he was playing his best rugby for us.

“But we have Nick Duncan who can step into the front row and Gareth Evans is also available.

“Aspatria had their second row sent off last week so he won’t be playing for them so we go into the tie confident.”