Calland promising team changes after Halifax suffer shock Cup exit

Championship preview: ANGERED Halifax coach Matt Calland is promising to swing the axe against Leigh tomorrow after his side's shock exit from the Northern Rail Cup.

They return to Championship action still smarting from last week's surprise loss against Hunslet which saw them fail to make the Northern Rail quarter-finals.

"We've got a lot of work to do and there is going to be a lot of changes," said Calland.

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"A lot of our players didn't want to know and that's very disappointing. We played as individuals and you can't do that in a team sport."

Halifax are joint-leaders with Featherstone after winning all three games so far but Leigh – with former Bradford Bulls star Robbie Paul in the mix – are also unbeaten heading to The Shay.

Featherstone Rovers entertain Whitehaven although they will be without Ben Kaye, the young hooker who has impressed during a loan spell but has now been recalled by Super League Harlequins.

Rovers remain as one of two teams with a perfect record in the Co-operative Championship.

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Having beaten Batley, Dewsbury and Barrow, Rovers will be full of confidence this weekend.

Rovers coach Daryl Powell said: "We won't get carried away. There are 17 games to go and it's a tough old league."

Dewsbury Rams are still awaiting their first win following promotion but coach Warren Jowitt insists confidence remains high ahead of the visit of Widnes Vikings.

"There was a lot more effort and commitment against Sheffield last week and the lads are buzzing because they know they're going in the right direction," he said.

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Lee Lingard returns for Dewsbury but Rob Spicer and Alex Bretherton are still a fortnight away from action.

York City Knights could hand a debut to on-loan Castleford Tigers winger John Davies at winless Doncaster in Championship One.

Doncaster coach Tony Miller said: "We're heading in the right direction and I'm sure that we'll give a good account of ourselves against York on Sunday."

Hunslet Hawks will be without banned pair Darren Robinson and David March when Rochdale arrive in South Leeds.