Jack Walker previews Thursday night’s meeting between Hull KR and Castleford Tigers. Here’s what we have to look forward to.
FORM LINE
Hull Kingston Rovers
Despite winning their opening-weekend fixture against Wakefield, the Robins have lost all three matches since and find themselves spared from bottom spot only by Toronto’s wooden spoon thus far.
Castleford Tigers
Derrell Olpherts and Jason Clare each scored a brace Castleford returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 32-15 win against Wakefield.
The Tigers will expect to take another 2 points back to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle from tonight’s game with a victory sending them top of the table.
SQUAD NEWS
Hull Kingston Rovers
KR are missing Matt Parcell – the Australian is likely to be out for two months due to an ankle injury.
However, Matty Gee is in line to make his Rovers bow due to Harvey Livett failing a fitness test as a result of a mild concussion.
Castleford Tigers
Adam Milner could feature for the the away side – it would be the first time since he injured was against Toronto Wolfpack back in February.
Cas are level on points with league leaders Huddersfield and will go top of Super League if they get the two points.
KEY STAT
Danny McGuire’s golden-point drop-goal won a titanic battle between the two sides in this fixture last season as the home side triumphed 27-26. Despite the veteran of the game now being retired, the KCOM Craven Park faithful will be confident that Crooks can help send them to victory over Cas again.
BATTLE TO WATCH
BEN CROOKS vs JASON CLARE
Crooks has been Rovers’ brightest spark in a poor start to the season, but the winger did score arguably the try of the season so far in the narrow defeat away at city rivals FC. The Robins’ star man went over twice at home to the Tigers last season so if he gets the ball in space, he’ll cause Cas problems again.
I singled out Clare before last week’s win over Trinity and he’s earned the spotlight again. Another brace to add to the collection also adds to his reputation, which continues to grow with every game it seems. If the KR defence switch off even for a second, he will punish them.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Thursday 27th February
Time: 19:45 GMT
Venue: KCOM Craven Park
