HULL Kingston Rovers will go back to basics in Wales on Saturday in an attempt to arrest the slide that is threatening to undermine the advancements they made in the first half of engage Super League XIV.
Three successive defeats, the latest a 40-10 hiding at home to Harlequins last Friday, have seen Rovers crash out of the Challenge Cup and surrender second place in Super League to Leeds.
The Robins looked tired and jaded against Quins and know t
hey have to make immediate improvements if they are not to suffer the same fate as Wigan when they face Celtic Crusaders at the Brewery Field.
"I think we need to break it down to basics, reflect on the beginning of the season and some of the things that worked well for us," said Hull KR coach Justin Morgan.
"We have done that in terms of reflection but we maybe haven't put it into practice as much.
"What we can't lose is the focus. We've got faith in our fundamentals and they've got us to where we are but at the moment we're just not executing them as well as we need to. When we get back those fundamentals that are important to our team and our philosophies, we'll get back to winning ways."
Shaun Briscoe and winger Peter Fox, who acquitted themselves well for England against France, return for the trip to Bridgend and Morgan is confident their presence will have a positive effect.
"I think ultimately lots of changes to our team and having to make lots of changes during the game didn't help us get any confidence that we might be lacking," he said.
Castleford are also looking forward to welcoming back England stars Michael Shenton and Joe Westerman for Sunday's trip to Huddersfield, a match which provides a chance to put the disappointment of Friday's 50-10 hiding at St Helens behind them.
Already missing Brent Sherwin and Ryan Hudson, the Wheldon Road club's resources were stretched to the limit at Knowsley Road where coach Terry Matterson was forced to give a debut to 17-year-old utility player Jordan Thompson.
Despite making a bright start, Castleford were outplayed by the Super League leaders to leave Matterson in sombre mood.
"We were beaten by a very good team," he said. "At the moment, they are the best in the competition. We are pretty wounded at the moment but I don't think that's the reason we lost. We started both halves really well but you need an even share of possession to be in the game against Saints and they had 43 sets, compared to our 28.
"We've just got to dust ourselves off because there are plenty of games left. It will be good to get Shenton and Westerman back next week."
