Powell - Defence is key

Featherstone Rovers coach Daryl Powell is urging his team to continue their defensive efforts in the Northern Rail Cup semi-final against Leigh after last week's 24-4 win at Halifax.

Powell, who is likely to check on Jon Hepworth and Nathan Chappell before finalising his team, was impressed by Rovers' commitment and desire.

He said: "We were determined to defend tough. We defended our line with pride, and that's all you want as a coach."

Injury-ravaged Leigh have suffered two more blows with the news that Bob Beswick (bicep) faces several weeks on the sidelines and Jamie Ellis, who had been set to join the Centurions until the end of the season, has now moved to Castleford.

Coach Paul Rowley is expecting Steve Maden to feature, but Tommy Goulden is unlikely to be fit.

Rowley said: "We started the year with massive challenges and little expectation; now we find ourselves in the semi final of the Northern Rail Cup.

"We're the only team with only three days' rest, which is another obstacle for us to overcome, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

"We started with lots of adversity and we'll finish the same way. We'll just keep jumping over the hurdles and growing stronger as a team and a club."

He continued: "Featherstone are the team to beat. They're the best team outside Super League, they'll be targeting the Northern Rail Cup and we'll go in as massive underdogs.

"But we're looking forward to it. We're not fazed, and we'll see what happens, but either way I'm proud to bits as a coach for this group to get to a semi-final."