Whitehaven are preparing for the visit of Wigan on Sunday, lifted by their opening performance to regain the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy.
The Super League club will send a team of fringe first teamers, reserves and top Academy products.
Haven director of rugby Gary Charlton said: “Whatever team Wigan put out it will be a decent one ands it will provide a strong test for us.
“We have two very good warm-up games for the fans as I know that Castleford are sending a full strength squad next week, which will be something to look forward to.”
Whitehaven were able to use the bulk of their squad in the 22-6 win over Workington and that will be the plan against Wigan, too.
One absentee was the Brazilian international Jorge Cabral who has joined Haven on trial but was unavailable on Sunday.
He is expected to feature against Wigan along with fellow trialist Ross Ainley, John Hutchings and Lewis Fairhurst who all played against Town.
Fairhurst, who slotted the last points of the game with a conversion, looked particularly sharp in his time on the field.
“I thought it was a good work-out. Both teams were committed and went at each other and there’s a good base to work on.
“It was a decent crowd and as a club we are hoping the fans will be out in force for these two attractive games against Wigan and Castleford,” said Charlton.
Rugby League funding has dropped to £40,000 this season when it was over £100,000 three years ago and any form of income is vital to clubs like Whitehaven.
Getting through the upcoming season financially unscathed is Whitehaven’s target in the hope that under IMG guidelines there will be a more even playing field in 2024.
