Daryl Powell: ‘More subs needed to allay Super League injury fears’

Powell’s side and opponents Hull played their second game in four days when they met in the Challenge Cup last Sunday.

A bruising encounter, which Hull won 29-16, left both coaches counting the injury cost and Powell believes things will only get harder for the rest of this year.

“We knew this was going to happen,” said Powell, whose team face 11 games over the next two months.

“Playing a game of rugby league is unbelievably physical – and look at what October and November look like.

“We asked for more subs, or some of the coaches did. Some of them decided it won’t be an impact, but I am telling you it will be and it will be really difficult for teams when you get to October and November.

“If the coaches who are saying we don’t need more subs are in the Challenge Cup in October, then good luck with that because that’s going to be really difficult.”

Powell stressed: “I am thinking about the players, playing six or seven games in a month is going to have a huge impact on players’ bodies.

“We have got a World Cup at the end of next year and the off-season and pre-season is going to be short. I am thinking about the players’ long-term health and England winning the World Cup as well.

“I am saying there needs to be some careful consideration; it [more interchanges] has been passed over to this point, so we will see how it rolls out for the next period of this season.”