Hull KR v Leeds – Super League Preview
Things are on the up for the Leeds Rhinos. After a surprisingly slow start to the season they have found the winning formula once again.
Nine wins in the last 10 matches have sent a message out to the rest of the Super League that the reigning champions are back in business and producing a charge to retain their crown.
The Rhinos have been given an additional boost ahead of Friday’s game with the news that inspirational scrum-half Rob Burrow is fit to return to the squad following a two-month spell on the sidelines with a knee problem.
Ali Lauitiiti and Luke Burgess will also return to the Rhino’s side, Burgess has been out for six weeks with an ankle injury while Lauitiiti comes back after sustaining a calf tear in April. The two Leeds stars have been replaced in the treatment room by Greg Eastwood and Danny Buderus, with both players picking up knee injuries in Saturday's 28-24 win over St Helens.
Winger Ryan Hall has rediscovered his try-scoring form in recent weeks and he believes his side are hitting form at just the right time.
"We need to keep improving, because there are still seven rounds left," Hall told the club’s official website.
"We've got to finish as high as we can, so we can look forward to the play-offs. This is the time when we need to be hitting form and I think we're in a good position to do that."
Hull KR, who are looking to complete a league double over the Rhino’s for the first time in 25 years, welcome back Shaun Briscoe who has recovered from a leg injury that kept him out of action for three weeks. He is expected to take over from Ben Cockayne at full-back.
Coach Justin Morgan is also expected to hand on-loan Wigan centre Josh Charnley his professional debut, having joined the club on Thursday.
The 19-year-old prospect has been drafted in for a month as cover for Kris Welham, who joined fellow centres, Michael Ratu and Jake Webster on the injury list.
Despite all the injury troubles, Hull have been in good form recently and have taken seven points from a possible ten, but forward Matt Cook thinks that there is still room for improvement.
“Our plays, skills or defence patterns weren't as good, but now they seem to be falling into place,” he told the club’s website.
"We still have a lot of improving to do but we are going good at the minute. I think we can do even better. We know we are a good team and we know we have talented players throughout the squad. The squad believe in each other and we will continue to take that belief on to the pitch."
In tonight’s other games table toppers Wigan Warriors play host to 12th placed Salford in what looks like a routine home win, while St Helens and Harlequins RL have home matches against the Catalan Dragons and Bradford, respectively.
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