Whitehaven get an instant chance to redeem themselves after last week’s Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat against Thunder.

This time the two clubs square-up at the Recreation Ground in the first match of the new Championship season.

Haven boss Ged Stokes said: “The first part of the season is always very important and the way we’ve started was definitely not in the plan.

“We’ve only got one thing to concentrate on now – the Co-operative Championship – and we’ll be fully determined.

“Our performances defensively have just been unacceptable. Our attack is as good as anybody’s but our concentration levels in defence are very hit and miss. That’s something we need to fix very quickly.”

Graeme Mattinson and Ryan MacDonald are set to return for the hosts.

Thunder coach Chris Hood says his side’s self-belief was reaffirmed during their win over Whitehaven last week.

Hood said: “The jump to the Co-operative Championship from the division below is huge. It’s almost as big as going from the Championship to Super League, but last week’s result proved to the lads that they aren’t going to be anybody’s whipping boys this year.

“We can be more than competitive and win a lot of games this year. It was a very positive result for us.

“However, this game’s completely different from last week.”

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