Rochdale up for Castleford clash

Rochdale coach John Stankevitch says his players will need little motivation for their big Challenge Cup tie against Castleford.

The Tigers have been going well in Super League so far this season, and they go to Spotland for a fourth round tie against the Championship 1 outfit, who have made an indifferent start to their campaign.

Stankevitch said: “From my point of view, I won’t have to do much to get the players up for the game. They will be well up for it, and probably be running around like mad men.

“I actually rang Terry (Matterson) up last week and told him I was picking a weakened side – we don’t want to give them a good spanking!

“We’ll probably give them a good test for 10 or 15 minutes, but then their superior fitness, skill and agility will probably blow us off our feet.”

Despite what used to be seen as an ideal draw – a Super League team at home – the Hornets stand to make no money from the match, as Super League season ticket holders gain free entry to their club’s fourth round tie.

Stankevitch added: “It’s a bit disappointing that we won’t make any money from the game. The only money we will make is through the bar, but that all goes to the stadium management company, and not the Hornets.”