Championship Preview: Featherstone v Halifax

New signings Will Sharp and Frankie Mariano could make their Featherstone Rovers debuts for the match being billed as ‘the biggest in the Championship’ by Halifax coach Karl Harrison.

Featherstone coach Daryl Powell said: “This is a huge game for a variety of reasons. Firstly Halifax are going really well and will be rightly favourites for this game, which creates motivation for all our players.

“In addition, they have opened up a bit of a gap between us, which makes it even more crucial at this relatively early stage of the season.

“Both teams have quality all over the field and it promises to be an outstanding game of rugby league.”

Matt James (knee) is missing for Rovers, while Halifax’s Paul Handforth looks set to return to action after missing last week with a dead leg.

Ross Divorty (shoulder) and Dane Manning (ankle) face fitness tests before Karl Harrison finalises his squad.

Harrison said: “This game brings its own level of intensity. Halifax v Featherstone is the biggest game of the season in the Kingstone Press Championship.”