Doncaster RLFC v Toulouse: Tonks and Aizue doubtful for Dons

Doncaster RLFC will be forced to make at least one enforced change to the side which beat Hunslet in tomorrow's League One Super 8s clash against unbeaten Toulouse at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Gary ThorntonGary Thornton
Gary Thornton

Having suffered concussion for the second time this season second-rower Mason Tonks has to be given clearance by a specialist before returning.

Veteran prop Makali Aizue - due to have an X-ray on a foot injury yesterday - is also a doubt.

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Better news for head coach Gary Thornton is that stand-off Jordan Howden didn’t suffer any adverse reaction on his comeback game.

“Jordan made a big difference to the side at Hunslet,” said Thornton, who will again have to settle for reserve hooker Kieran Cross standing in for suspended scrum-half Jordie Hedges.

“Kieran surprised me a little bit in how composed he was playing in such a pivotal position and it will be interesting to see if he can back it up this weekend,” he said.

More good news for Thornton is that Hull FC dual-registered giant forward Iafeta Paleaaesina is available for the first time since late May.

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“He’s fit in terms of the calf injury he had but he’s not played for a few weeks so he won’t be match-fit but I’m sure he’ll make an impact,” he said.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game, Thornton said: “They are a very good side and it’s going to be a big challenge.”

“The league table doesn’t lie and they have shown themselves to be the best team in the league this year.

“It would give us a massive boost were we to beat them.”