Team news and build-up as Doncaster RLFC prepare to hit Challenge Cup trail

The former Doncaster Toll Bar star will partner PNG international Watson Boas at half-back if Rangi Chase, who has been ill this week, fails a late fitness test.

“Kieran and Watson won’t give us the sort of organisation that Rangi and Matty Beharrell – who is expected to be available for the opening league game at North Wales next week – provide, but they will bring other qualities to the role,” said Dons No 2 Pete Green last night. “Both are very direct and both take the line on.

“Kieran trained hard for the last three or four weeks and it will be good to have him back. He’s a very good player who has been very unlucky with injuries over the last couple of years.”

Green admits that Trojans will probably know more about the Dons, who trained with Bentley ARLFC at Castle Park on Thursday night, than they do about them.

“We’ve not been able to get any footage of them but we’ve spoken to people who have seen them play or who know something about them,” he said.

“They’ve got a big pack and we are expecting it to be a tough game down the middle on what is quite a narrow pitch. We expect them to come off their line quickly to try and close us down early on and it’s important that we get on top in the forward exchanges as soon as possible.

“We’ll be looking to put into practice one or two things in attack that we’ve worked on in pre-season but we’ve got to look at doing the basics right before trying any add-ons. However, if we control the ball then I’m confident that we’ll score some good tries.

“With there being a lot of competition for places ahead of the North Wales game players will be looking to impress.”

The Dons flew the flag for League One last season when reaching the sixth round before going down against holders Catalans Dragons.