Carnegie in urgent need of early boost

Rugby Union: Diccon Edwards believes coming out of the blocks fast will help cure Leeds Carnegie’s slow starts.

Last season’s Premiership casualties have lost three of their opening four games, and Edwards believes as they prepare to host Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Knights at Headingley tomorrow, that a quick start is vital.

“In all of our games we have left ourselves a lot to do by half-time, so our first-half performances will have to be significantly improved,” he said, after adding that they had put behind them last week’s mauling at Cornish Pirates.

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“I have full confidence in the players’ ability and attitude, they have shown a great work ethic this week and they are desperate to put it right in front of our home fans.”

Doncaster are coming into the game on the back of two home wins, but Brett Davey has also pinpointed the first half as a passage of play when his side can ill-afford to make mistakes.

He said: “It could be a tight first half since we both like to open up in the second period.

“They’re a young, fit side but so are we and we have to keep on coming at them from the first minute until the last. We have to maintain our momentum.”

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Steve Boden retuns at hooker while Chris Planchant makes his first start of the season at No 8.

Sale loanee Tommy Bell starts at full-back for Leeds, for whom Joe Ford drops to the bench. Joe Barker is the starting No 10 alongside Robbie Shaw while Lee Blackett replaces the injured Curtis Wilson.