Ellis primed for ‘hostile’ return

ATTENTION switches to the Challenge Cup this week but there’s also a potential cracker in Super League.

A few weeks ago, Castleford would have gone into tomorrow’s rearranged game at Hull KR with plenty of confidence.

Not so now, in light of the Tigers’ recent wobbles and Rovers’ astonishing win over Wigan last Friday.

It means their clash – postponed because of bad weather in February – could be every bit as tasty as the quarter-finals.

Cas have lost four of their last six games and half-back Jamie Ellis (right) knows his old club Rovers scent blood.

He said: “We know we will be in a tough game because they’re a good side and it’s a very hostile place to play with their fans. The next few games are absolutely massive for us and we must start winning them.” Fifth-placed Cas have two games in hand on three of the teams above them, but Ellis warns there cannot be any more slip-ups. They crumbled badly against St Helens last Thursday, losing 40-18 copping a dressingdown from coach Daryl Powell. Ellis said: “We wanted to send out a message that we are definitely a top-four side and are building on last year. “But we were really disappointed in ourselves – the way we played was frustrating and a bit gutting. “We know we have got to be better than that against Hull KR. Hopefully we can keep going and turn it around.”