ROCHDALE HORNETS v DONCASTER DRAGONS

HORNETS could spring a few surprise moves for their home clash with the Dragons.

Fiery forward Dave Watson, rugged prop Andy Ireland and nippy hooker Darren Robinson could all battle their way into the side as coach Martin Hall considers making a number of changes.

The disappointment of losing to Huddersfield by such a vast margin last week has left it's mark on Rochdale and Hall is in no doubt that his players need to review their situation.

"This is a difficult game and we need to have a better attitude than we did against Huddersfield,'' agreed Hall, who used a mid-week Alliance team game to allow Matt Long, Sean Cooper and Brendan O'Meara to prove their fitness.

Doncaster, still without halfback Paddy Handley and goal kicking centre Simon Irving can improve their league status by claiming the points.

But with ex-Doncaster players Latham Tawhai, Joe Berry and James Bunyan in opposition, Dragons boss St John Ellis needs to lift his players to another level if they are to achieve that goal.

LEIGH CENTURIONS v HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS

THE Northern Ford Premiership's two top teams meet head on at Hilton Park, Leigh on Sunday in what could turn out to be a preview of the end-of-season Grand Final.

While neither Centurions boss Paul Terzis nor Giants head coach Tony Smith would care to admit to it, both secretly hope that will be the case.

"This is going to be an awesome game,'' warned Terzis.

"I have watched the video of Huddersfield's game against Rochdale and they were streets ahead in every department. It just goes to prove how much of a difference it can make being full-time,'' said he added while Leigh's only doubt is with winger Chris Irwin.

But with tough second row forward Chris Morley free of the ankle injury which forced him to miss the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup clash with Wigan Warriors and ex-Oldham and Widnes Vikings prop Simon Knox ready to make his bow, Leigh should have an extremely strong side on view.

"We have trained as normal, but the extra will come from the motivation and intensity that the players are prepared to go through in order to take the points,'' declared Terzis.

The Giants, riding a crest of a wave after yet another crushing victory over Rochdale, will be minus the attacking talents of full back Paul Reilly, who was handed a one-match ban and a £75 fine for his actions in the game with Hull KR.

Reilly's probably replacement is Ben Cooper, although boss Smith has yet to make that final decision.

"I just want a few days to mull things over, but Ben is a good possibility to fill the role. This is a big, big game, but there is still a long way to go before the season's end,'' warned Smith.

BATLEY BULLDOGS v BARROW RAIDERS

THE Bulldogs, shocked by the quick switch of prop Steve Molloy to Oldham, must find some extra reserves of energy if they are to fend off the approach of Cumbrians Barrow.

The Bulldogs have been very patchy in their results, for, having whipped Keighley Cougars by 56-4, they slipped to a 46-10 defeat at Whitehaven last week.

That in itself could sew the seeds of another disappointment, unless coach Paul Storey can remind his players of what they hope to achieve this season.

"We still have eyes on a top eight spot,'' said Storey, who will bring back Andy Spink as the cover for Molloy, while winger Paul Gleadhill and new signing Steve Hall from Gateshead could also come into the reckoning.

Barrow boss Cameron Bell is set to make some changes to his side, but he could rule out Dave Clark and prop Ian Rawlinson, who are carrying injuries.

DEWSBURY RAMS v WORKINGTON TOWN

THE Rams, with four consecutive wins under their belts, must start as favourites to win the clash with Workington.

But coach Andy Fisher is placing no bets.

"We have put in an extra training session this week in order to prepare for this game. Workington are a big side who will keep coming at you and in Tane Manihera and their new coach Martin Wood, they have two of the best half backs in the NFP,'' said Fisher.

Utility back Chris Kitchin and front row forward Robin Jowitt are both carrying injuries, but Kitchin is the more likely to play, according to Fisher.

Workington will check on Gary Charlton (jaw) and Jamie Beaumont (groin) before naming their line-up, however Owen Williamson, who missed last week's massive win over York should be fit again.

"We need to get something from this match in order to keep us up in the top section,'' said Gary Murdock, who has relinquished the coaching role in order to take over as the club's development manager.

Town's new wing signing Matthew Woodcock from Kendal Rugby Union club, could also come into the frame after returning to Derwent Park.

HULL KR v SHEFFIELD EAGLES

ROBINS coach Gary Wilkinson is well aware that this clash with Sheffield could be just the spur his players need to get back into the top four.

But with Bob Everitt sidelined with a one-match ban and Paul Fletcher, Rob Wilson, Jimmy Walker and Adrian Rainey all extremely doubtful with an array of injuries, Wilkinson may be forced to make a few switches to his plans, having grafted ex-Hull Academy player Gary Noble to his squad of players as a precaution.

Alan Taylor and Mike Hall could be vying for the vacant full back spot, but Wilkinson's main problem is who will partner Aussie Dane Dorahy at halfback?

The Eagles, however, could have wholesale changes to their line-up following the disappointing defeat at home to Oldham.

"We were woeful,'' confessed coach Mark Aston, who has the difficult job of lifting his players back on target.

"There was no desire from the players, so I may well ring the changes,'' he said.

In with a chance are Ian Thompson, Ryan Knight, Darren Callaghan and Paul Wells, while Richard Goddard's sure-footed return as a substitute last week should see him make the starting line-up on Sunday.

HUNSLET HAWKS v WHITEHAVEN

THE Hawks could prove to be another proverbial banana skin for Whitehaven, according to the Cumbrian club's coach Paul Cullen.

Hunslet have ran a few clubs very close, even if they have only picked up four points from 12 games.

Their main problem lies with the fitness of full back Kieran Allen, who has an ankle injury, while Andy Wray (hamstring) and Craig Ibbotson (chest) are virtually ruled out.

Coach Roy Sampson therefore could switch his bench players from last weekend in order to cover the gaps.

Whitehaven have ex-Widnes and Rochdale forward Chris McKinney back from injury and suspension, while Ian Devlin and Paul O'Neill may make the selection squad.

"We shall treat Hunslet with total respect. Roy Sampson has put together a very capable side and we will do well to bear that in mind,'' warned coach Paul Cullen, who will no doubt remind his players of the disastrous defeat they suffered earlier in the season at Chorley.

OLDHAM v FEATHERSTONE ROVERS

THE recent upsurge in form shown by Oldham will make Featherstone players sit up and think carefully about their task ahead, even though they crushed Swinton last weekend.

That, plus the midweek return of Oldham's prodigal Son Steve Molloy could send out a message of fear for Rovers.

Shrewd coach John Harbin has amassed a tasty squad of players at Oldham, although he may need to find replacements for Phil Farrell (knee), Danny Guest and Anthony Murray (knee) if they fail a fitness test.

"It's too early to say whether any of the three will make it, but I am always hopeful,'' said team boss John Harbin, who adds Gareth Barber and Gavin Dodd to his squad on standby.

Meanwhile, Featherstone are fending off more speculation over their star half back Jamie Rooney, who astonishing form has yet again put him in the spotlight over a possible move to the Tetley's Super League.

Rooney grabbed four tries and eight goals for a 32 point haul in Rovers comprehensive win over bottom club Swinton, making him the ideal candidate for a smash and grab move by his old boss Peter Roe at Wakefield.

SWINTON LIONS v KEIGHLEY COUGARS

THE Lions, still without a win from nine games, are desperate to secure some points and this could be a rare chance to do just that.

Coach Tony Humphries, who patience must be running as thin as rice paper, is nevertheless convinced that his side can pull off a victory.

"We are not only fighting for survival, but also for our pride and the players know only too well what faces the club", he said.

"We desperately need a victory to spark off our season and I would hope that we can achieve that on Sunday,'' he said.

Swinton will no doubt have a better chance if Dale Holdstock (flu), Jason Roach (shoulder) Phil Cushion (flu) and Adam Hughes (ankle) are passed fit to play.

Keighley boss Gary Moorby will check on Karl Smith's rib problem before naming his side, but the Cougar's coach will no doubt give another run-out to teenage loan signings Thomas Gallagher and Craig Stanley from the Leeds Academy side.

"Both are extremely promising young lads and they deserve another chance to show what they are about,'' confirmed Moorby.

YORK WASPS v GATESHEAD THUNDER

YORK board of directors' sensational declaration to close down the club on Tuesday night sparked shock waves of fear throughout the Northern Ford Premiership that others may soon follow in their footsteps.

But the fight may not yet be over, for the club's chief executive Ann Garvey's eleventh hour plea to the Rugby Football League to keep the club afloat has given the Wasps until next Tuesday to find a new owner.

"I went to a meeting with the Rugby Football League along with the directors and they have given us more time to put things right.

"But we will warn anyone who steps forward that they will have to find in the region of £100, 000 to fund the club until the end of the season and that is even taking into consideration reducing the players' wages,'' said Garvey, who has already had several telephone calls to that effect.

"We have called off Sunday's game with Gateshead as a matter of course, but we are optimistic that our game against Featherstone will go ahead, provided we can receive the right support,'' she said.

Meanwhile, coach Leo Epifania has stated his intention to stay with the club for as long as it takes, although some of the players could well have moved to other clubs before the weekend.

Such as Peter Edwards, Mark Cain and Mick Doherty are among those who will be sought after following the club's decision to terminate all playing contracts, with immediate effect.