Tigers and Robins braced for challenging run of fixtures

A CHALLENGING week awaits Castleford Tigers and Hull KR with both sides set to play three times in less than 10 days.

The Tigers, with only one win to their name since the season resumed, play their next three fixtures over the course of nine days while the Robins face the same matchload inside eight days.

It will require careful balancing of their respective squads to get through but KR head coach Tony Smith will be calling on some of his players to play twice in four days.

“I’m going to have to get a number of people to double up,” said Smith.

“I think I’ve got six or seven that won’t have to double up, who will be fresh and ready to go.

“I’m going to have to ask nine or 10 to put in a big effort on Thursday night and back up on Sunday.

“We’ll play it by ear as to who they are. It’ll be a bit like last week where we mixed and matched.

“We’ve got some options there and we’ll work it out after the Castleford game. But it is all focused on Thursday really.”

Powell will be adopting a similar approach, as his side aim to secure a second win since Super League’s resumption.

Meanwhile, the Robins will be out to claim consecutive wins for the first time this season after beating Challenge Cup finalists Salford Red Devils in their last outing.

KR last played on Tuesday of last week while the Tigers’ latest outing was against the Robins’ city rivals Hull FC on Sunday.

It was a fixture which saw Castleford slump to their heaviest defeat of the season as the Black and Whites ran out 48- 6 victors.

“We are a little bit down on troops and that is difficult,” said Powell.

“The team will look a little bit different tonight and then it will probably look different on Monday.

“I picked three teams on Wednesday morning. That is just the way it is, we will try our best to rotate people and give opportunities to some of the younger guys.

“I think it is important we finish the season but this is heavy going at the moment.

“I am proud of the players and the way they have battled their way through this, it is pretty unique what we are doing in rugby league at the minute.

“There is a fair few things I think we could have done better and I am hoping we don’t have to use those lessons moving forward.

“I am hoping we can get back to some kind of normality getting into next year.”

Half- back Jake Trueman has been forced to withdraw from Castleford’s 21- man squad after picking up a head knock against Hull FC.