WITH a side composed of players from across the state – and in some cases the country – it is often the case that upon joining up with CSU, players can find themselves doing battle with old clubs and team-mates.

Tomorrow will be no exception when students’ five-eighth Jeff Stewart comes up against his former club in the shape of the Forbes Platypi at University Oval.

A Forbes native, Stewart first relocated for his studies in 2005, but was a member of the CSU league side as well as occasionally pulling on the blue and white for Forbes when he got the chance.

After crossing codes, he was given his first chance in the top grade CSU rugby side last year and impressed plenty of observers with his creative play.

Having been slated for plenty of first grade action in 2008, an early season knee cartilage injury saw him on the sidelines until last week, and now he has the chance to complete his return against his old side.

“It should be good to come against my old club, it is definitely one of the matches you look forward to,” Stewart said.

“I spent six weeks out after the 10s competition in Orange at the start of the year but I think I am probably back to about 90 per cent now, it feels pretty good.”

Stewart’s time with CSU has been interrupted several times previously, with a broken thumb in late 2006 putting paid to his chances of a first grade spot and a leg injury during last year’s finals.

But with everything now seemingly in working order, he is keen to help a rejuvenated CSU side push for a finals spot after an indifferent start to the season.

“I think we are definitely heading in the right direction after last week’s win,” he said in reference to a form reversal against Orange City.

“We have a good side, and an excellent back line so I think we can start to pick ourselves up and be a contender.”

Having seen plenty of the Forbes side in the past, Stewart cited the Platypi forward pack – in particular their line-out – as a strength which needed to be nullified.

“They have a strong pack so our forwards obviously need to get on top and give our backs plenty of space,” he said.

“If we can get the ball wide we have what I think is one of the premier back lines in the entire competition and I think that is our best chance to knock them off.”

CSU co-coach Dave Dowell agrees with his play maker in that his side turned a corner last Saturday and says that the confidence is starting to grow.

“During the last couple of matches we have discovered some confidence and established some combinations,” Dowell said.

“I don’t think either team [CSU and Forbes] has hit their straps yet though and it hasn’t been a season where previous form has counted for a lot so far.”

A number of injuries are still plaguing the club though, and another reshuffled forward pack will run out tomorrow at University Oval.

“Training on Tuesday night looked like a World War II casualty ward,” Dowell said.

Kick-off is at 3.30pm.

CSU: 1 Charlie Croucher, 2 Alex McHenry, 3 Jono Murphy, 4 Josh Maley, 5 Matt Willott, 6 Matt Boylan-Smith, 7 David Healy, 8 Jason Welburn, 9 TBA, 10 Jeff Stewart, 11 Josh Gerrard, 12 Tim Ashworth, 13 Dom Maley, 14 Sam Coote, 15 Mal Friend