Championship Preview: Keighley v Swinton

Impressed Keighley Cougars coach Paul March is planning to name an unchanged squad for Saturday’s Kingstone Press Championship fixture with Swinton Lions.

March’s troops earned a bonus point at Halifax last week, losing 30-20.

March said: “We were happy with what we did. Our performance was a lot better, and at half time we were well in the game.

“Everybody’s come through OK, so we’ll run with the same 17 again this week, or as close to it as possible depending on any dual registration players.”

Swinton have endured a difficult week following the shock resignation of coach Steve McCormack, but March believes that will make Keighley’s job even more difficult.

He said: “I don’t know who’s taking charge of them, but their players will want to impress whoever’s coming in, whether they’re there as caretaker or on a permanent basis.

“They’ll be a difficult team to crack, and we had some good games with them last year, so it’s up to us to play with the same enthusiasm and intensity as we did at Halifax.”

Swinton trio James Laithwaite (knee), Glenn Riley (hand) and Dan Birkett (hip) will all be assessed after missing last week’s 52-20 defeat by Sheffield Eagles.

Chaz I’Anson (thumb) is definitely missing for the Lions.