Sean Long has named his squad for the clash with Wakefield Trinity tomorrow as the Featherstone Rovers prepare for a big Round One clash against Keighley Cougars in the Championship next week.
The likes of new signings Caleb Aekins, Mathieu Cozza, Riley Dean, Kyle Evans, Chris Hankinson, Thomas Lacans, Elijah Taylor and McKenzie Yei are all set to feature in what should be a star studded line-up from the Rovers.
The line-up Long names will likely shed some light on his first choice team as the season approaches with some big decisions to make.
One of which at fullback with former Leigh Leopards star Caleb Aekins set to battle with Brandon Pickersgill for the fullback spot whilst fellow Welshman Kyle Evans is battling with Luke Briscoe and Gareth Gale for a spot on the wings.
Dean and Lacans appear to be Long’s first choice halves for the new season.
Wakefield Trinity boss Mark Applegarth has named his side for the clash as well.
Max Jowitt again starts at fullback whilst this time Applegarth has gone with Tom Lineham and Lewis Murphy on the wings.
There is exciting news as Corey Hall returns from injury to play centre which sees Samisoni Langi drop to the bench after joining from Catalans Dragons and debuting against Halifax Panthers.
Reece Lyne, after his testimonial against the Panthers, again starts at centre.
The halfbacks are once again Lee Gaskell and Mason Lino for the third game in a row despite some impressive showings from Morgan Smith though some of his best rugby in a Wakefield Trinity shirt have come at nine.
That said, Smith is not in the line-up at all as Liam Hood unsurprisingly starts at nine with Liam Kay likely the cover on the bench.
Star signing Kevin Proctor this time starts at prop after debuting at loose-forward against Halifax. He joins fellow new recruit Renouf Atoni in the front row.
In the backrow Jay Pitts joins skipper Matty Ashurst whilst Eddie Battye gets the nod at 13.
Amongst the bench is the likes of Sam Eseh as Trinity look to make it three wins from three in pre-season.
