NRC Preview: Sheffield v Halifax

Mark Aston has dismissed the idea that he may have liked an easier start to his Northern Rail Cup campaign.

The Eagles coach is preparing his team to face last year’s The Co-operative Championship Grand Final runners up in Sunday’s opening fixture of 2010.

Aston said: “You don’t want easy. You want to play in good games, big games, and they don’t come any bigger than this one. This year they’ll be expected to win it considering the signings they’ve made and how good they were last year.”

Eagles winger Danny Mills has been ruled out until March with a hernia problem while Matty Brooks (elbow) will face a late fitness test for Sunday’s game.

Peter Green and Michael Haley will also be checked over by the Eagles’ backroom staff.

Halifax coach Matt Calland is sweating on the fitness of star half-back Ben Black (foot) ahead of Sunday’s trip to South Yorkshire.

Dylan Nash (back), Sean Penkywicz (knee) and Makali Aizue (knee) also need to be assessed before Calland makes a final decision on his squad.