Thorman wary of Cooke’s threat as stand-off set for home debut

The former Hull KR stand-off makes his home debut for Doncaster, having played 50 minutes of Wednesday’s 48-10 win at Gateshead Thunder.

Thorman was a later replacement for Cooke at Hull FC when he made the high-profile cross-city move and regularly came up against the talented player in Super League.

“Paul’s a really intelligent, good ball-player and he’ll be directing them around the field very well,” said Thorman. “We’re also aware of Lee Waterman’s threat. He scored four tries on Wednesday and he’ll want to prove a point against his old club.”

York, who are without injured Hull FC dual-registered pair Chris Green and Laurence Pearce, now start a hectic period with a rearranged fixture against Swinton on Thursday and more action next Sunday.

West Yorkshire rivals Featherstone Rovers and Dewsbury Rams meet at Post Office Road tomorrow.

Featherstone thrashed Oldham 68-0 in midweek while their opponents lost 36-6 against Halifax last Sunday.

Dewsbury are bolstered by the return of Ed Barber, Scott Spavin, Billy Harris, John Davies and George Flanagan, however, and coach Warren Jowitt said: “The pleasing thing about playing Halifax and Featherstone in our first two games is that they’ll test us and expose our weaknesses early in the season. It gives us plenty of time to put them right.”

Batley Bulldogs coach John Kear is “twitchy” ahead of London Skolars’ visit.

“Like most coaches I’m a control freak and like to know what we’re up against,” he said,

“This week I’m not so sure as London’s game against Toulouse was off so I haven’t seen any DVD.”

Keighley face Toulouse in France this evening while prolific wing Rob Worrincy will return from a knee injury for Halifax when they host Rochdale tomorrow.

Sheffield Eagles, who opened with a 28-14 win at Workington, welcome holders Leigh Centurions and Hunslet Hawks host Swinton.