AFTER five successive National League One defeats, the last four of which have not even resulted in a bonus point, Wharfedale's selectors have rung the changes in personnel.

The experienced Steve Graham, recently returned from Ilkley, comes in at hooker and Will Bell has a seasonal debut at fly half for the tough trip to second-placed Richmond.

Max Labasse is at full back, while Dan Tai, after injury, and Matt Dudman return to the wing and the replacements' bench respectively for the second-from-bottom Greens, who have won only two out of 11.

Injuries to Chris Howick and Dan Solomi give Tom Whyte an opportunity at flanker.

Wharfedale haven't won since they beat visitors Darlington Mowden Park on October 10, including a 45-0 home defeat to leaders Hartpury College last weekend, and McGee has been frustrated by errors and second-half fade-outs.

But he is calling on the passion that has been at the core of their 20 successive seasons in the third tier, many of which have involved escapology from relegation.

He said: "We may be on the ropes but we are not on the canvas and we will come out swinging.

"I want the players to find that Wharfedale spirit where we defend with urgency but I still believe in this group of players and so do the other coaches.

"We are under a lot of pressure but we just have to pick ourselves up, work harder and find that energy, confidence and bit of magic dust that will turn our season around.

"We were only 12-0 down at half-time against Hartpury, and it is becoming a bit of a theme that we fade in the second half, but that comes down to mental toughness.

"Hartpury were just clinical but we have to stop dropping high balls and losing line-outs.

"We have the ability to get out of it. If we do more of the basics right then we will give ourselves a chance."

Wharfedale: Max Labasse; Oliver Fewtrell, Cameron Hudson, Huw Morgan, Dan Tai; Will Bell, Harry Skelton; Joe Altham, Steve Graham, Chris Steel, Simon Willet, Alex Powell, George Hedgley, Tom Whyte, Josh Burridge (c). Replacements: Ali Wade, Dan Stockdale, Matt Beesley, Matt Dudman, Harry Bullough.