Hull KR head coach Tony Smith is excited by the challenge they face this weekend, believing it can bring the best out of his players.
The Robins face Super League champions St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday with the odds stacked against them.
However, while recognising they will go into the clash as huge underdogs, Smith says his players are ‘excited’ by the challenge.
He said: “It can be considered a daunting prospect because St Helens are the reigning champions and they have been in really good form.
“But there has been a real excitement and buzz about the players. It does not really matter who it is up against, we are always excited.
“You can tell it is a game week. Since we last played, we have just been happy to be back training but knowing we are playing fires us up even more.”
This weekend will see Rovers play for the first time in three weeks as they search for their first win since the opening round of the season.
Despite losing their last six league games, Smith’s side have been praised for their expansive style and the Robins boss says they will not be shifting from that approach against the Saints.
“We had some encouragement about some aspects of our play during our last outing and we want to build on that,” said Smith.
Ben Crooks scored one of the tries of the season in Hull KR’s defeat to Warrington last time out. Credit: News Images
“There are some areas we definitely want to work and improve on and this is an opportunity to do that.
“I think we have some players who have some good skill and there is a lot of players trying to develop themselves.
“They have been told in the past not to throw the ball around but now they have a coach who has come in and wants to help them develop aspects of their game, rather than just quick play the balls.
“It will take some time, especially for the younger players, but I am confident they can produce some good rugby as time goes on.”
