Vikings v Rovers: Teams

Craig Sandercock: Wants Hull KR to get off to better starts

Dennis Betts: Pleased to see his players beileving in themselves

Widnes Vikings will be hoping to maintain their good form in Sunday's clash against Hull KR at the Stobart Stadium.

Dennis Betts' Vikings stunned the Salford City Reds last time out with a remarkable 46-8 victory away from home.

While Widnes have won two of their last in Super League action, the Robins suffered a 32-18 reverse to rivals Hull FC on Monday.

Rovers are eighth in the table, although both Bradford and Salford are only two points behind the East Yorkshire club.

Widnes are without former Wigan and Hull prop Eamon O'Carroll, who broke an arm on his third appearance for the club in last Friday's win.

He joins skipper Jon Clarke and vice-captain Shaun Briscoe on the sidelines.

Betts is not reading anything into KR's form, stating they are preparing for Sunday's game like any other.

Mindset

"Our process has been exactly the same and the players know that there are still many big challenges ahead of us," said the former Great Britain international.

"We have always talked about the second half of the year as a big driver and you can really start to see the players' self-belief growing.

"Regardless of recent results, Hull KR are a very good side. They have got fantastic strike players and two front rowers who have played at State of Origin level. Craig (Sandercock) is a really good coach and I know he will be working hard to get a response this week."

Chris Heil and George Griffin are set to make their Super League debuts in a much-changed Hull KR team.

Injuries have ruled out Shannon McDonnell and Con Mika, who is also suspended.

Sandercock has left out Sam Latus and Scott Taylor in favour of Liam Salter, Dave Peterson, Keal Carlile and Louis Sheriff.

"Craig Hall strained his hamstring on Monday," he continued. "It was bad enough for him to miss the game and we'll assess him during the week. Shannon has done the medial in his knee and Con has torn a hamstring.

"Obviously we need to improve on how we start games as it's been like that for the last few weeks. If we want to be competitive and win matches, we need to start well."

Vikings: Ah Van, Allen, Cahill, Cross, Craven, Davies, Dean, Gerrard, Haggerty, Hanbury, Isa, Kite, McShane, Marsh, Owens, Phelps, Mellor, Pickersgill and Winterstein.

Hull KR: Salter, Petersen, Laithwaite, Horne, Carlile, O'Hara, Webster, Galea, Clinton, D Hodgson, J Hodgson, Paea, Sheriff, Murrell, Dobson, Green, Heil, Griffin, Withers.

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