Preview: Featherstone v Halifax

Featherstone Rovers coach Daryl Powell, who was this week named as the Co-operative Championship Coach of the Year, wants one more win to finish off a remarkable season.

Powell’s side won 18 of their 20 league fixtures in 2010 to be crowned as Minor Premiers, and he is set to name an unchanged line-up from the team that beat Halifax 46-16 in the Grand Final qualifier.

Powell said: “Featherstone is a fantastic club. We’ve been able to have some success this year, but hopefully we’re going to be able to kick on and win the Grand Final. That’s massively important to us.

“It will be a tough game, there’s no question about that. We’ve beaten them three times this season, but that doesn’t mean anything. We’re going to have to be focused on this game. We’ve trained really well, we’re ready to go, and hopefully we’ll enjoy a good day.”

But retiring Halifax duo Graham Holroyd and David Wrench, who will both play their final career games on Sunday, are desperate to go out with a bang.

Holroyd, in particular, has the chance to get one over on Featherstone coach Powell and assistant coach Ryan Sheridan, the starting half-backs in Holroyd’s last ever game for his first club Leeds – the 1998 Super League Grand Final.

Halifax coach Matt Calland is also set to include Bob Beswick, who returned to action in last week’s play-off win against Sheffield just four weeks after breaking a bone in his ankle.

Calland said: “We’ve played Featherstone three times and on each occasion we’ve under-performed, although we have to be honest (and admit that) they have been the best side all season.

“The boys are absolutely buzzing. I’m sure it’s going to be a great battle.”