Rochdale Hornets v Featherstone Rovers: Concentration key to returning Rovers to win footing

Rovers suffered only their second defeat of the campaign when they were beaten 24-16 by Toronto Wolfpack three days ago.

They have slipped a place to fourth in the table, but – with leaders Toulouse Olympique playing second-placed Toronto today – have an opportunity to climb back up the ladder when they visit lowly Rochdale Hornets this afternoon (3pm).

Third-bottom Hornets have lost five of their six games so far, but Rovers coach John Duffy is more concerned with how his players react and is keen to see them correct the mistakes which let them down on Good Friday. He put the defeat down to “a bit of sloppiness, concentration and little errors” and said staying switched on for the entire game is crucial.

“We knew we had to concentrate for the full 80,” Duffy said. “We didn’t do that and it really cost us.

Duffy added:“We should not have errored when we errored.

“We kicked a penalty to go 6-4 [behind], then we kicked out on the full and it’s try, try. You can’t go that far behind against a good team and claw your way back.

“But I was really happy with the effort of the boys, especially at the back end of the game.

“I thought they were superb. There were some massive efforts from our lads.”

Winger Luke Briscoe will set a new club record of tries in 11 successive games if he manages to touch down once again at the Hornets.