SQUAD NEWS
HULL KR
Hull KR are expected to welcome experience back into their team, with half-back Danny Maguire and captain Shaun Lunt both returning from concussion and a knee injury respectively.
However, Rovers coach Tim Sheens will be without Nick Scruton, who has a hip problem, as well as fellow forward Lee Jewitt, whose groin issue keeps him out of the team.
Half-back Maurice Blair, who has captained the East Hull outfit for the last two outings in the absence of Maguire and Lunt, could make his 100th appearance for the Robins if selected on Saturday.
Hull KR 19-man squad:ย Adam Quinlan, Thomas Minns, Andrew Heffernan, Ryan Shaw, Danny McGuire, Shaun Lunt, Mose Masoe, Maurice Blair, James Greenwood, Ben Kavanagh, James Donaldson, Chris Clarkson, Tommy Lee, Robbie Mulhern, Chris Atkin, Will Dagger, Jordan Walne, Danny Tickle, Justin Carney.
WIDNES VIKINGS
Widnes centre Krisnan Inu, who broke his leg in the Good Friday defeat to Warrington Wolves, will be out for up to 12 weeks. The 31-year-old is replaced in the team by academy youngster Keanan Brand, who could make his first appearance of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Matty Whitley, Rhys Hanbury and Joe Mellor all return to the team after missing the defeat to St Helens on Easter Monday, but hooker Danny Walker drops out.
Denis Betts’ men are looking for their first win in three, a victory that will consolidate their spot in the top eight.
Widnes 19-man squad: Wellington Albert, Keanan Brand, Greg Burke, Ed Chamberlain, Danny Craven, Gil Dudson, Alex Gerrard, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Ryan Ince, Jordan Johnstone, MacGraff Leuluai, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Tom Olbison, Charly Runciman, Matt Whitley, Sam Wilde
HEAD TO HEAD
Hull KR gained promotion to the Super League in the last meeting between these sides. The Robins led through Thomas Minns in the Qualifiers last term, whose try was cancelled out by Hep Cahill’s score. Ryan Shaw then ran 80 metres for the all-important try, however, in a 12-6 win at Craven Park.
In fact, Minns and Shaw also crossed for tries in a 30-16 defeat to the Vikings in 2016, one of two Widnes victories over the Robins that year.
KEY BATTLE – Thomas Minns v Ed Chamberlain
Hull KR centre Minns has four tries this season, including a hat-trick in his side’s Good Friday defeat to rivals Hull FC. This weekend, he will face up against oppsite number Ed Chamberlain, who is still adapting to his team this term.
Widnes will look to plug any potential gaps left in this part of the field – with Minns in good form, the 23-year-old has his eyes set on increasing his tally in 2018.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: April 7 2018
Venue: Craven Park
Kick-off: 18:00 BST
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
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