Doncaster Knights: Yorkshire Carnegie clash '˜our biggest test so far' - Challinor

But the likelihood is that there will be enough heat generated on the field as Doncaster Knights return to Championship action against Yorkshire Carnegie on Friday night to keep everyone warm at Headingley.

Knights go into the game hoping to build on victory at home to London Scottish and end a run of three consecutive defeats on the road.

“It was good for the team to have a break last weekend though not so much for myself as I’d only just returned from injury,” said Doncaster second-rower Matt Challinor.

“Although at the end of the day we won the game we knew it was a very scrappy performance against London Scottish and we came in early last week knowing that we had a lot of work to do in training ahead of this Friday’s game.

“They’ve obviously started the season very well and were unbeaten prior to losing at London Irish last time out.

“I think they are a very efficient side and are well organised up front. They’ve always had the players but Steve Boden has come in and got them firing as a unit which is something they’ve probably lacked at times in the past.

“They probably also feel that they owe us one from last season when we beat them over two legs in the play-off semi-final – and I’m also expecting a big backlash from the Irish game - so for me it will be our biggest test so far this season.

“I know we’ve played Irish (away) but it was the first game of the season and they were caught a bit cold and we were as well.

“It’s a game we can definitely win but we’ve got to play better than we have been doing away from home.”