SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW | Round 8 | Hull KR v Hull FC
SQUAD NEWS
HULL KR
Shaun Lunt (knee) and Danny McGuire (concussion) are both named in the 19-man squad but face late fitness tests to see if they will feature.
Nick Scruton, Matty Marsh and Lee Jewitt also return as does Josh Johnson, who played for York last week on his return from injury.
Andrew Heffernan and Jordan Walne both miss out after failing their concussion tests following last week’s defeat to St Helens.
George Lawler fractured and dislocated his ankle in the same game and has undergone surgery, ruling him out for most of 2018. Robbie Mulhern also misses the Easter programme with a calf injury.
Hull KR 19-man squad: Quinlan, Minns, Shaw, McGuire, Scruton, Lunt, Masoe, Blair, Greenwood, Kavanagh, Jewitt, Donaldson, Clarkson, Lee, Marsh, Salter, Johnson, Atkin, Carney.
HULL FC
Danny Houghton returns after suffering a calf injury in round 2 against Wigan, as does Mickey Paea, who returns from a fractured hand suffered in their clash against Castleford last month.
Dean Hadley is also ruled out through injury, exiting the 19-man squad alongside Jack Logan, who misses out.
Albert Kelly will face his old club after returning from concussion last weekend.
Hull FC 19-man squad: Shaul, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Talanoa, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Minichiello, Bowden, Connor, Green, Abdull, Washbrook, Fash, Paea, Lane, Matongo
HEAD TO HEAD
The return of the Hull derby is a welcome fixture for Super League. Set to be a sell-out crowd, both Hull teams will want to move from the middle of the table.
In pre-season, Rovers were 34-26 winners but currently lie 9th in the table, two places below their cross-city rivals.
In 2016, Hull won all three derby matches before KR were relegated. This game could be all about spirit, passion and attitude as one of the greatest derbies in the English game is set to be re-ignited.
KEY BATTLE- McGuire/Atkin/Marsh v Kelly/Sneyd
With the Hull derby, it’s all about who can find those gaps in the defensive line and exploit them as best they can.
With Danny McGuire’s place in the team doubtful, it could come down to Chris Atkin and Matty Marsh to carry the torch for Rovers.
Albert Kelly and Marc Sneyd have plenty of games now under the belt as a partnership so there will be huge pressure of the young Hull KR duo- can they handle it?
Maybe they will shine and help Rovers get these all-important two points and bragging rights.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 30th March
Venue: KCOM Craven Park
Kick-off: 12.50pm
Referee: Chris Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
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