Whitehaven coach Jonty Gorley is looking for more improvement from his side for Sunday’s Challenge Cup game at Halifax.
They have only played twice – at Widnes in a friendly draw and a close defeat by Barrow in the 1895 Cup.
“I thought we were competitive against Barrow but need to improve in certain areas, particularly finishing our sets better and not inviting the opposition into our own 20 and 30.
“We have come up short in our last two visits to Halifax and we know it’s going to be tough but we have improved over the two games and I expect us to give a good account of ourselves getting ready for the start of the Championship season,” said Gorley.
An illness bug meant Jake Maizon and Owen McCarron missed out last wee but are fit again. However Will Evans and Evan Lawther have now picked up the same bug and will be out.
Connor Holliday also faces a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury picked up last week.
Gorley is also looking forward to seeing Papua New Guinea recruit Edene Gebbie in action. He’s in the squad and ready to make his Haven debut.
The squad is: Ross Ainley, Dion Aiye, Jake Carter, Lucas Castle, Rio Corkill, Jamie Doran, Oscar Doran, Will Evans, Edene Gebbie, Guy Graham, Lachlan Hanneghan, Ryan King, Jake Maizen, Owen McCarron, James Newton, Callum Phillips, Joey Romeo, Curtis Teare.
The Halifax squad includes former Whitehaven half-back Louis Jouffret and is: Will Calcott, Ben Crooks, Connor Davies, Olly Davies; Greg Eden, Jacob Fairbank, Matty Gee, Tom Inman, Louis Jouffret, Ben Kavanagh, Joe Keyes, Ryan Lannon, Kevin Larroyer, Zac McComb, Dan Murray, Adam O’Brien, James Saltonstall, Adam Tangata, Ben Tibbs, Gareth Widdop, James Woodburn-Hall
