A Good Friday for Yorkshire derbies in Championship
THE Hull derby may grab the headlines but it’s a Good Friday fixture list packed with Yorkshire derbies.
In the Championship alone, today throws up four all-Yorkshire games, while Hunslet host White Rose rivals Keighley Cougars in League One.
But it’s the Championship which serves up a real four-course menu.
The appetiser sees South Yorkshire pride on offer when Doncaster welcome Sheffield Eagles at 3pm.
A quick jaunt up the M1 sees Dewsbury Rams kick-off two hours later, when they host Batley Bulldogs. A tasty starter.
Then comes the main course, kicking off at 6pm, when Wakefield Trinity – looking to bounce straight back up after relegation from Super League – travel to Featherstone Rovers, a club who have yearned for the top flight for many years.
And if your appetite for rugby league’s second tier had not been satisfied, then the pudding comes at 7.30pm when attention turns to Odsal as Bradford Bulls and Halifax Panthers meet.
New loan recruits Connor Carr, pictured, and Max Wood are set to make their Bulls debuts, having joined this week from Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves respectively.
“Connor will give us some muchneeded competition and depth in our outside backs,” said Bulls head coach Eamon O’Carroll.
“He works hard and gets through plenty of work, he’s eager to impress and has a great attitude.
“Wood is someone we have been looking at for some time now.
“He will give us a point of difference and from the games I’ve seen he’s been very impressive.
“He carries the ball with intent and challenges oppositions defences while defensively he works hard and has good energy.
“I’m really looking forward to working with these two players and I’m confident they will add to our group.”
John Davies (suspension) and Eribe Doro (ankle) could also feature, while Australian duo Tyran Ott and Zac Fulton are poised to make their debuts.
Jorge Taufua is suspended.
Leeds Rhinos duo Kieran Hudson and Jack Smith, on dual registration, replace the suspended Jacob Fairbanks and injured Brandon Douglas for Halifax.
Wakefield include new signing Ky Rodwell – brought in from NRL side Parramatta Eels last week – and Iain Thornley, after a calf injury, with Josh Griffin and Harvey Smith dropping out for the trip to Featherstone.
Rovers include Zach Fishwick and Louix Gorman, on dual registration from Hull KR.
“We are really excited,” said Rovers head coach James Ford. “We picked up a couple of injuries last week so to have players of that caliber to come and boost our squad, we are really thankful.”
Leeds Rhinos forward Leon Raun, 21, has returned to Doncaster on loan and could feature against the Eagles.
Dons head coach Richard Horne said: “Bringing Leon back was an easy decision, we know him as a person already from his previous time with us, as well as the quality he will add to the squad.”