Harrison's hopes are on Halifax

Halifax coach Karl Harrison is in confident mood ahead of Sunday's Northern Rail Cup quarter-final clash with Barrow Raiders after his men secured a 30-16 win against Keighley Cougars last week.

Harrison said: "It's been well-documented that we're a pretty new bunch of players, but we've got better week on week and we've got some good football in the team. It bears well for the future.

"Halifax fans expect big things, I set really high standards, and we've got a core of players who've been there before and got the t-shirt. We want to win every game we can."

Halifax forward Ross Divorty faces the demanding prospect of playing twice in 24 hours after being included in Wales' squad to face France on Saturday.

Barrow Raiders' coach Darren Holt has up to 12 players missing with injury, with dual-registration signings Ryan Duffy and Bradley Brennan being considered for their Barrow debuts at The Shay.

Holt said: "It's probably the hardest game of our season. Halifax are a very good team and it's a tough challenge, but that's something for the squad to look forward to.

"We've a young squad and some of them don't have the experience of playing at that level, but I'm sure they'll put everything into it. The players won't back down from any challenge, I know that, and that's the way it should be.

"It's the quarter-final, and whatever team that's picked will still be a quality team."