Preview: Featherstone v Keighley

Featherstone coach Daryl Powell is aiming to bounce back from Sunday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat at Warrington by extending Rovers’ unbeaten start to the Championship.

Powell’s side have won all six of their league fixtures in 2010, and are the only team in the Championship to still have a perfect record.
 
Rovers are likely to be boosted by the return of Tom Saxton and Tony Tonks, who were both rested for the Warrington fixture.
However, Powell’s plans have been disrupted by a late change of opponents after recent travel problems meant Toulouse Olympique were unable to reach Yorkshire in time for Thursday’s clash.

Instead, Keighley Cougars have agreed to bring forward their trip to Bigfellas Stadium.

Cougars duo Ollie Pursglove and Carl Hughes both passed fitness tests on Tuesday night while Scott Law faces a late examination before any decision is made on his involvement.

Keighley coach Barry Eaton said: “We were very happy to step into the breach.

“We’ve had a couple of injuries that have cleared up, and I spoke to all the players on Monday lunchtime to ask them their opinion.

“It’s been a couple of weeks since we last played and we’re itching to get out there again.”

Cougars showed signs of improvement during their last three Co-operative Championship fixtures, drawing with Sheffield, beating Dewsbury and putting up a brave fight at Halifax.

Eaton added: “We hope to continue in that vein, but Featherstone are a very good side. They’re certainly one of the stand-out teams this year and it’s not an easy task, but we’re looking forward to it.”