Rugby: McRae's men blowing off the cobwebs

Hull coach Shaun McRae is worried that tonight’s Super League clash with in-form Leeds Rhinos may have come a little too early in the season for his side.

Their early exit from the Challenge Cup left the Boulevard outfit kicking their heels for three weeks and they looked decidedly ring-rusty in last week’s league opener at Salford, where it needed three late tries to secure a 24-10 victory.

McRae is looking for a marked improvement tonight against the early-season form team.

‘‘It’s not easy when you bow out in round four because you’ve got a three-week break before Super League starts,’’ he said.

‘‘I still think we’re clearing the cobwebs a little bit. We had a reasonable performance at Salford. It was a patchy game but it put us in good stead for Friday.

‘‘We’re looking at a gradual climb in terms of match fitness and conditioning and getting our timing right. We’ve welcomed a few new players as well and it takes time to integrate everybody into the squad.’’

At least Hull will have home advantage and The Boulevard has not been kind to Leeds over the years.

They have won just five out of 21 league matches at the famous old ground since the reintroduction of two divisions in 1973.

Leeds will give late fitness tests to half-backs Ben Walker and Ryan Sheridan but coach Daryl Powell believes he has the ready-made replacements.

‘‘I was really pleased with the way we readjusted to the challenge of losing Ben and Ryan last week, with Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield taking charge of the game,’’ he said.

In tonight’s other game, St Helens welcome back former Great Britain centre Paul Newlove after an eight-month lay-off.

Sean Hoppe is set to switch to the left wing to accommodate Newlove, who has made a full recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon and will be looking to recapture the form that brought him 15 tries in 21 games before his unfortunate injury.

Saints only just squeezed past Widnes in their opening game and coach Ian Millward says his side will not start producing their best form until the grounds harden.

‘‘I don’t think the wet grounds have helped us,’’ he said.

‘‘It does take us back to the level of teams which are not as skilful and as quick as us.

‘‘You will see some great things from us as the season progresses.’’

Salford, who conceded 122 points in two games against the Challenge Cup holders last season, are boosted by the return of hooker Malcolm Alker, who was named ‘‘hitman’’ of Super League after making a phenomenal total of 1,050 tackles last year.