St Helens v Hull KR: Tickle '˜loving' new lease of life

Having suffered relegation with Leigh Centurions last term and, before that, almost seeing his career ended after suffering a brain injury following a drunken incident outside a nightclub, Tickle is doing it tough again with the struggling Robins.

However, he has seen enough to believe they can pull away from the bottom four and avoid the Qualifiers – if they find some consistency.

The former England international lines up at Super League leaders St Helens this evening looking to inflict a shock defeat.

Rovers are certainly in need of a response after last week’s 42-14 home loss to Castleford Tigers – which followed a stunning win over Tickle’s hometown Wigan.

“I am still loving the game,” said the former Hull FC star.

“With the dramas what’s happened over the last few years – at Leigh and before that – when Tim Sheens rings you up you are going to listen and consider things.

“I’m really enjoying it on the other side of the city from where I enjoyed a lot of my previous rugby.

“It took a few weeks to get up to fitness which was tough and I’ve had a couple of bad games while I’ve moved positions back to back-row but I am enjoying it all.

“I’d just enjoy it more if there was some more wins. That’s what we all need!

“It’s time for us now to start stringing some results together.”

Tickle, who made his Super League debut with Halifax in 2000, said: “Saints are up there for a reason but every week is different.

“I thought they were beatable last week against Hull (in the Challenge Cup semi-final) and it will probably be different again.

“But look at us; we got beat by Hull and then beat Wigan the week after only to put in a disappointing performance against Cas.

“We know if we don’t turn up with the same attitude as we did against Wigan we know what will happen. The start of the game against Cas hurt us.”

The squad remained in the dressing rooms for a long period after that defeat to trawl through the defeat.

“When you come off the pitch after a performance like that to face Tim you put yourself in a difficult position,” admitted Tickle.

“We got showered and had something to eat and then went back into the dressing room to sit down and go over where we went wrong.

“We know it’s no good doing it just one week and then not the next.”