Doncaster RLFC: Improvement needed at Hunslet - Nicholson

They crashed to a 48-6 Challenge Cup defeat there back in March prior to claiming their first win at the stadium since 2008 when posting a 30-22 League One victory over the Hawks in May.

There is little doubt, however, that Friday’s Super 8s clash between the two sides is the most important of the three games between the sides this season.

Defeat for the Dons would see them drop out of the top-five play-off spots.

Hawks, who needed to win their last game of the regular season to make the Super 8s, have won both their opening fixtures to move level on points with the Dons, who have a game in hand.

“It’s going to be a tough game because Hunslet are a big physical side,” said Dons forward Brad Nicholson, disappointed with Sunday’s big defeat against Barrow.

“Unfortunately we are having to do it tough at the moment due to injury and suspensions and we obviously missed both half-backs on Sunday and it looks like players will have to fill in again against Hunslet.

“We picked up another couple of injuries so we’ll be further down on numbers but as a group we’ve still got the right mind-set and we all want to do well and I’m confident we can go there and pick up a result.

“We know it’s a vital game – they all are in the Super 8s - and that we’ll need to play better than we did against Barrow.”