Powell not taking Lezignan lightly
Featherstone Rovers coach Daryl Powell says his side won’t be looking beyond fourth round opponents Lezignan as they aim to book a place in the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup for the first time since losing out to eventual champions Warrington Wolves in 2009.
Rovers will play host to their French neighbours when the sides clash on Saturday (6.30pm) and while Lezignan are the lowest ranked team remaining in this year’s competition, Powell has warned his side not to become complacent.
“Lezignan will be a bit of an unknown quantity,” said Powell. “So we’ll have to get our hands on a few DVD so we can study them and see what we’ll face, but they’re in a good run of form currently and we know it won’t be any pushover.
“They’ve got Nathan Wynn in the side who we’ve come up against before and we know he is a quality player and they’re currently on top of their league in France so they’ll be a tough side and they’ll be determined to progress as far as they can.
“But we’ll be focused on the game and we’ll also be determined to progress.”
After ending the 2010 season without any silverware, Powell is determined to rectify things in 2011 and with Rovers riding high in the Co-operative Championship table and having already secured a Northern Rail Cup semi-final berth, Powell is hoping to push for glory on three fronts.
“You always want to go as far as you can in any cup competition,” said the Featherstone coach. “We feel if we get a home draw against any side then we can put up a big challenge and put ourselves in a good position to progress and push for some silverware.
“Obviously a Super League side poses a huge challenge in the cup but we’ll give Lezignan the credit they deserve and we won’t be looking beyond them.
“But for the players it’s all about getting the opportunity to test yourself against the best and that’s what a fifth round tie would guarantee for us.
“We had a bad run of injuries at the start of the season but we’re not far off having a full strength squad now and hopefully that will stand us in good stead.”
Tickets for the Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round contest between Featherstone Rovers and Lezignan at the Bigfellas Stadium cost £15 adult, £9 concessions and £3 for children and can be purchased at the turnstile on the day.