Dynamic duo back to beef up Castleford Tigers at Hull KR

Forwards Jesse Sene-Lefao and Adam Milner have both been named in Tigers’ initial 21-man squad for tomorrow’s trip to Hull KR – when a win would take Castleford top of Betfred Super League.

Sene-Lefao has not played this season because of a quad injury and Milner has been sidelined since suffering concussion in round one.

Clare described the fit-again duo as “two of our leaders, two senior players and two emotional players as well” and he said: “They are not just physical, they get the best out of everyone around them, the way they drive everybody forward.

“They are two massive players for us who will slot straight into the middle spots and, hopefully, give us a big boost.”

Tyla Hepi and Calum Turner are also in contention, along with the 17 who beat Wakefield Trinity six days ago.

“We have got massive strength in depth and the players we have got coming back are all international players,” Clare added.

“They are not just good players for Cas, but at international level as well.

“They are really senior figures and they drive standards more and more. Hopefully they can do well and prove Powelly [coach Daryl Powell] right by coming straight back into the team.”

Though Rovers are second from bottom and on a three-game losing run, Clare reckons tomorrow could be one of Tigers’ toughest games.

“They are a good team and Tony Smith is a great coach,” he said of the home side.

“I know they have had a few defeats and have been a little bit loose, but the things they do with the ball are tricky things, not the kind of structure that everybody is used to in rugby league these days.

“They are doing some really, really good things and some tricky things as well. You have got to expect absolutely everything.”

Clare was not selected for Tigers’ first game of the season, but injuries to Sosaia Feki and Greg Eden handed him an early chance and he has scored three tries in the three matches since.

“It is always nice to score tries but it is the opportunities created and taken that I want to look at,” Clare insisted.

“It is no good scoring 10 tries and bombing or ruining 10 before that.

“If I get five opportunities, I want to score all five of them. Super League is at the level now where defenders are hard to break down. The chances created, you have got to nail them every single time.”

Matt Parcell has an ankle injury and drops out of Rovers’ side, along with Harvey Livett (head) and Robbie Mulhern (suspended). George Lawler, Jez Litten, Mikey Lewis, Owen Harrison, Nick Rawsthorne, Matty Gee and Ethan Ryan are all vying for a call-up.

Hull KR: from Crooks, Kenny-Dowall, Linnett, Minikin, Hadley, Garbutt, Lawler, Murray, Trout, Litten, Dagger, Lewis, Harrison, Rawsthorne, Ryan, Keyes, Gee, Maher, Minchella, Storton, Brierley.

Castleford Tigers: from Rankin, Olpherts, Mata’utia, Shenton, Trueman, Richardson, Watts, McShane, Millington, Holmes, McMeeken, Milner, Massey, Sene-Lefao, Griffin, Blair, Smith, Clare, O’Neill, Hepi, Turner.

Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield),

Kick-off: Tomorrow, 7.45pm.