Grand Final Preview: Featherstone v Sheffield
Featherstone Rovers, who this week had four players – Sam Smeaton, Liam Finn, Matty Dale and Andy Kain – included in the Co-operative Championship All-Stars, will arrive at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with plenty of belief.
They have not beaten Sheffield this year, but the memories of last season’s 40-4 Grand Final win against the Eagles are still fresh.
And Rovers captain Stuart Dickens insists this summer would surpass all others if his side can come out on top against the Eagles.
Dickens said: “If we win on Sunday it’ll be our most successful season. When you win something once it makes it harder to win it again, because you are up there to be shot at.”
Eagles are without Joe Hirst after he suffered a broken jaw during last week’s semi final victory at Leigh.
Sheffield coach Mark Aston said: “The guys have worked really hard this season. We’ve achieved what we set out to achieve and now we want to put a few wrongs right from last year.
“We weren’t great against Leigh. We were giving penalties away and looked a bit lethargic at times, but the character and attitude came through.”
He added: “We showed we’re capable of playing right to the final whistle, dead or alive.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic final. We’re over the moon that we’re there, and this year we intend to participate.”