Kingstone Press Championship Preview: Halifax v Rochdale Hornets

Halifax coach Karl Harrison is forced into making at least one change to his starting line-up after second-row forward Dane Manning was given a 10-match ban earlier this week.

Manning was found guilty of grade E intentional striking and grade D sustained punching, and received five-match suspensions for each offence.

The news comes as a further blow to Harrison, whose side is already struggling with injuries. Gareth Potts (broken ankle) is the latest to be sidelined.

Harrison said: “We’ve so many people out at the moment, but that’s rugby league and that’s why you’ve got a squad.”

In contrast Rochdale Hornets coach Ian Talbot has reported a “clean bill of health, other than our long-term injuries” ahead of Sunday’s Kingstone Press Championship clash.

Talbot has called for his team to increase their concentration for the trip to the Shay.

Talbot said: “At the minute we’re making far too many errors with and without the ball, and we’re getting punished for them.