Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR: Robins aim to ensure they don't catch Leeds backlash

OPTIMISTIC: Hull Kingston Rovers' head coach James Webster.
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe — OPTIMISTIC: Hull Kingston Rovers' head coach James Webster. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Rovers venture to Headingley looking to amplify the defending champions’ problems, Leeds having won just twice all season.

The visitors are in need of a rare victory, too, and Webster knows their opponents, for all their difficulties. will prove as dangerous as ever.

“Leeds are going to catch someone soon, big-time,” he said.

BACK IN THE FRAME: Hull KR's Shaun Lunt. Picture: Simon Hulme

“We’re going there with the mind-set that it is not going to be us. They have got too many good players to not put someone away soon. I know that they will, history tells you that. We have to come up with a good enough game-plan to ensure it’s not us.”

Rovers are without in-form winger Ryan Shaw – who has scored four tries in seven games since joining from Bradford Bulls -–who will miss the rest of the season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee at Wigan on Easter Monday.

They have also lost prolific winger Josh Mantellato, too, with a broken arm suffered in the defeat to Hull FC shortly after returning from an eye injury.

However, their hopes of securing only a second win of the season are significantly aided by news that both Terry Campese and Shaun Lunt will definitely play this evening.

Captain Campese strained a hamstring against Huddersfield Giants earlier this month just minutes into the stand-off’s return from his own knee reconstruction that sidelined him since last June.

Having been kept out due to ankle surgery, hooker Lunt also played his first game of the season in the Huddersfield defeat only to strain his calf and miss the next three games.

“Of course, Shaun and Terry were bitterly disappointed with their injuries at Huddersfield,” said Webster, who also confirmed former Rhinos second-row Chris Clarkson is fit to reclaim his place in the 17.

“They’re professionals, want to win and help us progress.

“No player goes out thinking about getting hurt, but I’m sure they’re looking forward to facing Leeds. Terry will start but I’m not sure on Shaun. We have got a couple with a sickness bug so we’re a little bit up in the air.”