New boys London host Hull FC, who will be looking to bounce back from defeat. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
London
London come into this off the back of a dramatic win away against Leeds, adding their third scalp of the season after a tough 26-0 loss against St Helens the week before. Broncos are two from three at home and previously beat defending champions Wigan last time out at Trailfinders.
Hull FC
Hull suffered a comprehensive 32-12 home loss to Wakefield last time out having won the three games prior against Leeds, Huddersfield, and Wigan.
SQUAD NEWS
London
London name a largely unchanged 19-man squad from their encounter with Leeds last week, with Morgan Smith replacing James Cunningham after the former Hull FC playmaker suffered an ankle injury last week.
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London 19-man squad: Abdull, Battye, Butler, Davis, Dixon, Fleming, Fozard, Gee, Kear, Lovell, Mason, Morgan, Pelissier, Pitts, Richards, Smith, Walker, Williams, Yates.
Hull FC
Mickey Paea comes back into the 19-man squad for Hull after a rib injury ruled him out of the previous round. Joe Westerman joins the injury list and Mark Minichello misses out for personal reasons.
Danny Washbrook is included alongside Cameron Scott, who could make his first appearance of the season.
Hull FC 19-man squad: Shaul, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Hadley, Thompson, Matongo, Manu, Lane, Paea, Litten, Washbrook, Scott, Naulago, Ellis.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides last met in 2014, a year in which Hull won both fixtures by at least 36 points. In fact, London have struggled against Hull FC and have only won two of the last 13 encounters dating back to 2009, while Hull have scored 40+ points in three of their last six games away at London.
KEY BATTLE
Alex Walker (London) v Jamie Shaul (Hull FC)
Shaul has been consistently one of the best fullbacks in the league and now comes up against a rising star in Alex Walker. Walker has been infallible at the back for London this year and has starred defensively with exceptional goal line defensive efforts and composure under the high ball. In attack, he’s delivered some sublime balls to his outside backs and mazy attacking runs.
Shaul has been doing similar work for seasons in Super League and was instrumental in Hull FC’s back-to-back Challenge Cup final successes, though he has had quieter periods of late.
With two good tactical kickers on the pitch in Marc Sneyd and former FC player Jordan Abdull, both fullbacks will need to be at their best on Sunday. Whichever can better handle the opposition’s kicking game will give their team the edge in this one.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 24th March
Venue: Trailfinders Sports Ground
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
WHO WILL WIN?
London have shown they can mix it in Super League and have already claimed three scalps against top class opposition. Hull have started the season very well, but London are a tough team to break down and stick in the game for the full 80 minutes. Strap yourselves in because this will be a tight one. London Broncos by 2.
