Doncaster Knights not lacking incentive against Yorkshire Carnegie

Two of the club’s most respected figures have admitted in the build-up that Knights came off second best up front at Headingley - the scene of their last league defeat - five months ago.

“I thought that they deserved their win,” said club captain Matt Challinor.

“I thought that they were strong up front and that, on the night, it was probably against the run of play that we got a losing bonus point because they were well on top and I would say they are the best team we’ve played this season. Having said, we are confident of beating them on Saturday.

“We’ve beaten the other two top-four sides and we know that if we turn up on the day, and play like we can, that we are a match for anyone.”

Forwards coach Glen Kenworthy knows the result on Saturday will go a long way to deciding the positions in the top four come the end of April.

“I want us to have a real pop at the play-offs which means we’ve got to continue to improve and I think there is more to come,” he said.

“We have great challenges ahead starting with Carnegie.

“They have been the only pack to get on top of us this season, though we lost the likes of Matt Challinor in the first half.

“I set the forwards a challenge to win all our derby home games at home this year and we’ve ticked Nottingham and Rotherham off. Hopefully we’ll be able to do the same after Saturday’s game.”