Wildie sets big target for Featherstone

Featherstone hooker Matty Wildie believes that Rovers can finish top of the Championship in 2017, and make a real push for promotion to Super League.

The player, who suffered a serious knee injury last season, has appeared in the halves during Fev’s preseason friendlies, and he believes that Rovers are in fine form ahead of the new campaign.

“We are aiming for the top of the table this year and nothing less,” he said.

“When it comes to the end of the season we want to be playing against Super League teams and challenging them.

“Last season did not end how it was hoped it would, so we want to hit the ground running this weekend.

“We have looked sharp in pre season and our performances have been, on the whole, pretty good.

“We have recruited well and we are not struggling with injuries. For us, I believe we can look forward to making a strong start.”

Rovers open their Championship campaign with a trip to Halifax on Sunday, a team they beat in a preseason game on Boxing Day.

Despite that result, Wildie is anticipating a tough contest at the weekend.

“Halifax are looking pretty good, so this weekend is going to be very tough,” he said.

“Until we get out there on the field it will be hard to judge both how us and them are going to perform, but we will be doing all we can to get off to a winning start.

“We have trained and prepared really well. We just need to get our game right and all should be fine.”