Doncaster dealt injury blow

Doncaster coach Tony Miller has suffered a major blow to his preparations for the new Co-operative Championship One season after it was confirmed that Chris Spurr will miss Sunday’s opener against South Wales Scorpions.

Spurr suffered a hamstring injury during last week’s Challenge Cup win over Thatto Heath and now faces a number of weeks on the sidelines.

Miller told the Sheffield Star: “I don’t think that there is a stand-out team in Championship One this season.

“Five or six teams, including ourselves, are going to be competitive. Our biggest problem could be injuries, because we don’t have don’t have the biggest of squads.”

Jamie Bovill is also suspended for the Dons to further increase the pressure on Miller’s squad.

Lewis Mills is the Scorpions’ only injury absentee from last week’s team that faced Dewsbury.

South Wales went down 62-6 against Warren Jowitt’s men but director of rugby Mark Rowley is expecting a big response on Sunday.

He said: “A few people last week had to look at themselves in the mirror and say ‘Do I want to play rugby league or am I just here to make up the numbers?’

“We’ve had some good sessions this week. The boys have done a lot of hard work and we’re ready for what will be a tough challenge up at Doncaster.”