WESTERN Division coach Mick Sullivan made his intentions for Saturday’s clash with Greater Northern Tigers clear with the release of his final side, boasting a gargantuan forward pack.

Sullivan has named a starting pack full of behemoths and a bench made up entirely of forwards, and is clearly expecting them to brutalise the Tigers up front in the Rams’ Country Rugby League Regional Championships opener.

Orange CYMS monster Simon Osborne will partner enormous Parkes Spacemen, and former Sydney Roosters under 20, prop Brandon Tago in the front row, with Wellington’s Justin Toomey-White, Forbes’ Ben Maguire and Mudgee’s Jack Afamasaga making up a monumental back-row.

The inclusions of Blayney Bears prop Terawhiti Cooper and Orange CYMS lock Tim Mortimer gives Sullivan a huge bench, with the duo sitting alongside Forbes’ Jake Grace and Mudgee’s Demitrius Ainnu.

“We wanted to go with a lot of size, we didn’t really make a secret of that,” Sullivan said.

“On the bench we’ve got three big guys plus Morts who has been outstanding for Orange CYMS this season.

“I don’t know a lot about the opposition, I should know more than I do. Demitrius (Ainnu) has played up that way a little bit and he says that they are a grinding sort of a side so we can expect a tough, physical match.”

Rams hooker Benjamin John could have a field day on the back of the gargantuan pack, which is complemented beautifully by a mix of speed, skill and flair in the Rams’ back-line, particularly evident in CYMS star Ben McAlpine at fullback and Mudgee speedster Corin Smith, named in the centres.

“I want all the players to show a real willingness to do the hard work,” Sullivan said.

“I think this squad can go deep into this competition and that’s what it was picked on, not just with an eye to winning this one game.

“They’re all quality guys and it has made for a pretty relaxed atmosphere. Now I’ve just got to have faith in the ability of these guys to ... get the job done.”

The Rams will have extra motivation with the clash coinciding with Western Division’s Old Boys Day and as a result, Sullivan has asked several stars of yesteryear to speak before the game.

“I’d love for some of the old boys to share what it meant for them putting on that jumper and playing alongside their mates,” Sullivan explained.

“We’ve not had a great couple of years at this level so it would be fantastic for our guys to produce this weekend on what is a pretty special day for the Rams.”

The Rams and Tigers lock horns from 2pm on Saturday, at Bathurst’s Carrington Park, while Riverina plays Northern Rivers (11am) and Bathurst Panthers’ under 15 side takes on the Bloomfield Tigers (12.45pm) in the lead-up games.

WESTERN DIVISION: 1 Ben McAlpine (Orange CYMS), 2 Kieran Cubby-Shipp (Dubbo CYMS), 3 Jyie Chapman (Dubbo CYMS), 4 Corin Smith (Mudgee Dragons), 5 John Grey (Dubbo CYMS), 6 Gary Reilly (Bathurst St Pat’s) 7 Colby Pellow (Dubbo CYMS), 8 Simon Osborne (Orange CYMS) 9 Benjamin John (Bathurst St Pat’s) 10 Brandon Tago (Parkes Spacemen), 11 Justin Toomey-White (Wellington Cowboys) 12 Ben Maguire (Forbes Magpies), 13 Jack Afamasaga (Mudgee Dragons), 14 Jake Grace (Forbes Magpies), 15 Demitrius Ainnu (Wellington Cowboys) 16 Tim Mortimer (Orange CYMS), 17 Terawhiti Cooper (Blayney Bears).