AFTER a week off that coincided with the start of the Six Nations, teams across East Lancashire return to action this Saturday.

Rossendale will be hoping the poor run of form is behind them as they look to make it back to back wins for the first time since November.

The Marl Pits side had a storming start to the season, winning their first 11 games to race to the summit of National League Three North.

However, since losing to Sale in late November, Dale went on a run of just win in the next six outings as the slumped back to fourth in the table and out of the play-off places.

Tim Fourie’s side picked up a hard earned and welcome 15-6 win against relegation threatened Bradford and Bingley and will be looking to make it back to back wins at seventh placed Burnage on Saturday.

In North Lancs/Cumbria, Blackburn will also be looking to improve their form since the turn of the year having won just once in four outings in 2014.

Blackburn started the year in second place but a 19-5 defeat to leaders Bolton set the back followed by a narrow 21-19 home defeat to Eccles.

An impressive 24-17 win at second-placed Eccles in the return seemed to halt the slump but Burn lost last time out against Fleetwood an are now fourth.

Dino Radice side take on second from bottom Littleborough on Saturday.

In contrast, Burnley are the East Lancashire team in form, undefeated in 2014 on the back of four straight victories – the latest a hard fought 31-12 win in the mud at Mossley Hill.

Burnley have lost just two of the last nine fixtures to climb to fifth place in North Lancs One and play host to bottom club Hutton on Saturday.

In North Lancs Two, Colne and Nelson, in seventh place, are the top local side.

The host high-flying Birchfield but do so having won at Carnforth last time out.

Pendle Phoenix, fresh from their impressive win against Broughton go to in-form Eagle while Clitheroe, who beat Brougton in their last game, host Carnforth.