Team news and starting line-ups for Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants at the KC Lightstream Stadium in Super League on Thursday, June 26 (kick-off 8pm). Read a match report and reaction at full-time.Hull KR
HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock has kept faith in his winning side after naming an unchanged squad for the visit of Huddersfield.
Ex-Giants star Graeme Horne, Jason Netherton and Neville Costigan look to have shaken off injury concerns, whilst youngsters Aaron Ollett and Sonny Esslemont keep their places in the 19-man squad.
Wayne Ulugia and Jonny Walker remain absent from the side due to disciplinary reasons.Possible Hull KR line-up:: Eden; Gardner, Hall, Welham, D.Hodgson; Burns, Keating; Costigan; Lovegrove, Horne; Weyman, J.Hodgson, A.Walker.Subs: Carlile, Esslemont, Green, Hall, Netherton, Ollett.Huddersfield Giants
HUDDERSFIELD boss Paul Anderson has also stuck with the same 19-man squad that beat London Broncos last time out.
Both coaches will be looking for a stint of consistency in their squads as Super League nears its business stage of the campaign, with just nine games remaining after this weekend.Possible Huddersfield: Grix; Broughton, Wardle, Cudjoe, McGillvary; Wood, Brough; Bailey; Lawrence, Ferres; Kopczak, Robinson, Crabtree. Subs: Chan, Patrick, Ta'ai, Johnson, Faiumu, Mullally.Players to watch
WITH one of the deadliest back-lines in the division, Huddersfield are scoring tries for fun in Super League, and have done for several seasons.Leroy Cudjoe's partnership with Jermaine McGillvary has proven to be fruitful in the 2014 campaign, with 16 tries between them after 17 rounds of rugby.Kris Welham, on the other hand, has suffered an indifferent season in East Hull, which resulted in him being dropped a fortnight ago.
Blame was pointed at the centre for the number of tries KR conceded in their woeful 54-12 drubbing at Castleford, and he was sent on loan to Gateshead as a result.
Knowing where to improve, Welham found himself back in the side following Wayne Ulugia's omission because of disciplinary reasons, and proved a point to coach Craig Sandercock with a try-scoring performance at Bradford last week.
Welham and wing partner David Hodgson will have their work cut out tonight, but Rovers will pin their hopes on the experienced winger to dig Welham out of trouble, should he require.
Danny Brough is bound to kick in the corner on several occasions, so Welham and company need to be aware of the constant threat they may be placed under.Huddersfield's form guide
HUDDERSFIELD are the envy of many a side in Super League at the moment. With eight wins from the last nine, it's easy to see why.
Their only defeat since April 10, when Hull FC comfortably beat them 30-6, came at the hands of St Helens with a 41-22 reverse.
Remarkable victories over Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors are just two of the highlights Huddersfield have had this season, and only due to a slow start to the campaign do they sit sixth in the table.
With their last league victory in East Hull coming in 2011, Paul Anderson will hope for a change in fortunes as the Giants look to secure their play-off spot.Gareth Westmorland's view
ALL too often this season, Hull KR have been left chasing their tails to claw their way back into games. A prime example of this was against tonight's visitors Huddersfield in round two.
The Giants raced into a 24-6 half-time advantage, and although Rovers produced an unlikely comeback to salvage a draw, it's the two points KR now desperately require.
The first quarter or so at the John Smith's Stadium set the platform for Paul Anderson's men to secure at least a point. Quick-fire tries from leading points-scorer Danny Brough and Luke Robinson paved the way, before Kyle Wood raced over on 23 minutes.
In stark contrast, that match flipped on its head, with Rovers scoring twice in the final few minutes to rescue a point.
On that day, KR had Travis Burns to thank for a touchline conversion from Omari Caro's try, and he could be dealt with the same cards this evening should Rovers look to the edges. Having said that, Rovers come up against the leading goalscorer in the league in Brough.
A professional performance against Bradford last Friday was the perfect tonic for coach Craig Sandercock, and he'll be asking for more of the same this evening against the 2013 Minor Premiers.
Although a tough nut to crack in recent weeks, Huddersfield are prone to mistakes, as shown in their 30-6 defeat at Hull FC in April.
Gifting the Black and Whites early tries on that occasion, KR will be looking to the likes of David Hodgson, Craig Hall, Kris Welham and Ade Gardner, who is set to make his 350th career appearance, to repeat their instinctive plays shown against the Bulls.
No doubt it will be tough, but this is a test where Rovers can show their true play-off credentials.
