Former Leeds Rhinos trio vying for Featherstone Rovers debut in Challenge Cup showdown with Hull FC

Full-back Liam Whitton, half-back Harvey Spence and loose-forward Loui McConnell have all been named in Rovers’ initial squad for the third round clash, after joining the club in the off-season.

McConnell played twice in Super League last year, but Whitton and Spence did not make a first team appearance for Leeds.

Another ex-Rhinos man Brett Ferres is back in contention after serving a suspension for an alleged breach of coronavirus regulations and former Castleford Tigers half-back Tom Holmes could return from injury.

Callum Field is also vying for a call-up, but ex-Wakefield Trinity prop Craig Kopczak drops out from the side which beat Batley Bulldogs in the Championship last week, along with another experienced forward, James Lockwood.

Hull are without star stand-off Josh Reynolds (hamstring) and Ligi Sao (ankle), but Josh Bowden (concussion) and Jack Brown (ankle) are back in contention.

Featherstone Rovers: from Hall, Blackmore, Welham, Hardcastle, Gale, Holmes, Chisholm, F Brown, Harrison, Ferres, Day, Jones, Bussey, Cooper, Field, Halton, Parata, McConnell, Spence, Whitton, Moors.

Hull: from Connor, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Ma’u, Johnstone, Cator, Lane, Fash, McNamara, J Brown, Swift, Bowden, Wynne, Scott.

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury).

Kick-off: Today, 7pm.

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