Darren Gough and Craig White found themselves under double pressure today when the most important Roses match in years began.

Yorkshire went into the Cric-Info Championship match with a 14-point lead over Somerset at the top of Division One - and with a game in hand over all their rivals.

If they beat Lancashire, it will install them as clear favourites to win the title because they will take some catching with only a further six matches to go.

Defeat, however, will start the alarm bells ringing, and Yorkshire are not too good under pressure, as they have shown in important cup matches.

As well as needing to do well in Yorkshire's cause, Gough and White, just as importantly, must show England that they have shaken off their poor form ahead of the third Test against Australia, which starts at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

It is unthinkable that England would drop Gough at the moment, but White needs runs and wickets over the next couple of days to feel confident of holding on to his place.

He is due to open the batting with Matthew Wood, Scott Richardson dropping out to accommodate him, but White has made only 145 runs in eight completed Championship inn-ings this season at an average of 18.12.

He has had an even greater struggle with the ball, claiming just four wickets at 50.50 runs apiece.

In his last two matches, however, he has been working his way to full pace after his mystery back problems, but now he is near peak fitness again.

Yorkshire (from): Wood, White, McGrath, Lehmann, Byas, Fellows, Blakey, Silverwood, Hamilton, Gough, Sidebottom, Kirby, Dawson.

Today's games

CricInfo County Championship

(first day of four)

Division One

Grace Road: Leicestershire v Kent

Northampton: Northamptonshire v Essex

Taunton: Somerset v Glamorgan

Headingley: Yorkshire v Lancashire

Division Two

Derby: Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire

Cheltenham: Gloucestershire v Sussex

Lord's: Middlesex v Durham

First NatWest Under-19 One-Day International

Hove: England v West Indies.