Kingstone Press Championship One Preview: London Skolars v Hunslet Hawks

London Skolars coach Joe Mbu believes his club’s annual Friday Night Lights fixture shows the continued development of Rugby League in the capital.

A bumper crowd is expected at Enfield to witness the Skolars’ Kingstone Press Championship One fixture with Hunslet Hawks.

Mbu said: “This fixture always gives an opportunity for London players to show their development.

“We’re a team predominantly made up of London players, and in the past it’s always been London players that have pushed teams and come close to beating them in this fixture.

“That’s what’s important for me; the opportunity is there to show that London is developing and coming on strongly.”

He added: “If my memory serves me right, we’ve always gone into this game on the back of a defeat, but this time around there’s a good feeling at the club after last week’s win over Gloucestershire.

“There’s a good buzz in the camp and we’ve got a bit of momentum, but we also realise we’re going up against a strong Hunslet team who will be licking their wounds after losing last week.”

Mbu could name an unchanged side, while Hunslet are without Liam Hood (broken hand) and Danny Grimshaw (potential ruptured bicep), with both facing the possibility of having played their last game this season.

Hawks coach Barry Eaton said: “I’ve been involved with this fixture when I was at Keighley, and that experience tells me it will be very, very difficult on Friday.

“London have had a bit of an upturn in fortunes in the last few weeks. They played particularly well against Oldham, and did a good job on Gloucestershire as well. We’re expecting a tough one.

“They’re a good side. They’ve had some good results, and we know they’re capable.”