CRAIG Sandercock has warned that bottom club Castleford pose a major threat to his Hull KR side tomorrow.
The Tigers have picked up just two wins in 13 games, with coach Ian Millward losing his job recently as a result.
However, one of those wins came at home to defending champions Leeds, whilst they also drew with Catalan and pushed Wigan close at home.
Playing at almost full strength – only former Robins man Jake Webster is missing through injury – Sandercock says Castleford are a capable outfit and a big challenge for his young squad.
"Like every side in Super League, they have a good first 17 , so they will present a really strong side," he said.
"Our young players really need to treat this game like they are playing Leeds or another big club, because they have a very strong 1-17 and we still have six to eight first-team players out, so those young kids need to step up to the mark.
"Castleford have plenty of quality. Michael Shenton has played for his country and I saw the game against Salford where he made two or three clean breaks and played really well.
"Young hooker Daryl Clark is pretty smart, Weller Hauraki is a powerful runner and Justin Carney is an explosive runner. They have a really good side on paper."
Boosted by the return to fitness of Craig Hall following concussion, Sandercock has now though lost second row Cory Paterson, who has been one of, if not the, standout players this season.
Graeme Horne, Kris Welham and Evarn Tuimavave remain three to four weeks from returning, whilst there are still no target dates on Ryan O'Hara or Sean Gleeson playing this season.
It means Sandercock will rely on his young side again against the Tigers, despite expressing concerns that many are struggling to cope with the demands of Super League week to week.
"It's hard to expect young kids to perform week in and week out when you have got so many in the side," he added.
"I would love to say I am not expecting a high-scoring game, but the reality is at the moment we are working hard and developing, and until we get our main bodies back you are going to see some inconsistencies in our attack and defence."
