Wilkin wary of Rovers threat

Wilkin: preparing well

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• Hull K R
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• Jon Wilkin

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St Helens' Jon Wilkin reckons former club Hull KR will be a "tough nut to crack" when the Carnegie Challenge Cup holders travel to Craven Park on Sunday for their quarter-final.

Saints are looking for a hat-trick of Cup triumphs but the Great Britain forward knows they face a tough task against Rovers, who beat them 24-22 in the opening round of Super League in February.

"Rovers are the most improved team in the engage Super League," the 24-year-old said.

"That's down to some great coaching by Justin Morgan and some shrewd recruiting during last winter.

"They're a tough nut to crack at Craven Park as they proved when they beat us there in the league but we know what to expect. We'll prepare well to face them and it looks like being a tough old encounter."

Passionate

Wilkin, who originates from east Hull, was a Robins player for the first two years of his professional career as well as being a passionate red and white fan.

"Rovers was where I started to learn my trade," he said. "I'd been a fan of the club since I was a schoolboy and had a wonderful 18 months to two years playing with them before I came to Saints.

"But, after joining St Helens in 2002 they became my club. The same has happened to me as countless other professional rugby league and soccer players. You move clubs and home then settle down to life at your new club.

"It's all part of being professional player."

Wilkin added that he has motivation beyond simply professional ambition in helping Saints try and reach Wembley for the second successive year.

"Last year it was such a big occasion that we tended to miss some of it," he said.

"Being the first Challenge Cup final since the stadium was rebuilt made it such an important occasion. So many things were happening during the build-up to the game and on the day that you really can't recall everything that took place.

"It tended to be a blur of special things all going on at the same time.

"Going back to Wembley would be very special for everybody involved at the club."