Batley v Catalans: John Kear mic'd up for Challenge Cup clash live on Sky Sports
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 06/05/16 7:00pm
John Kear, who will be mic'd up during the game, is hoping to mastermind another Challenge Cup upset when Batley Bulldogs face Catalans Dragons in Friday's sixth-round tie, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.45pm.
Kear led Sheffield and Hull to Challenge Cup final victories but he must overcome odds of 500/1 if he is to steer the part-time Bulldogs to glory in his fifth and final season in charge.
Friday's match is certainly expected to be closer than the 74-12 rout the Catalans enjoyed on their only previous visit to Batley for a quarter-final tie in 2010.
"We're really looking forward to it," said Kear, who will wear a microphone during Friday's contest at the Fox's Biscuits Stadium.
"There is no pressure on us. If we get walloped, it's just what everybody expects, and if we don't, then we can come away feeling as if we've done a pretty good job.
"I was hoping for the rain gods to smile down on us and for the rain and wind to be blowing downhill but it looks like it's going to be nice."
Batley have cut admission charges to £10 for adults and £1 for children for the chance to witness the star-studded Dragons, who have State of Origin forward Dave 'Coal Train' Taylor back from injury.
"It's a great tie for the club," added Kear. "We're playing the form team of Super League and they've got a galaxy of stellar names.
"My players want to be able to say when they're retired, 'I played against the Coal Train' or 'I played against Willie Mason or Todd Carney'.
"I know this from my own experience. One of the proudest games I had for Castleford was playing against Wally Lewis. Those are the games you remember and you relish the challenge."
Batley Bulldogs: Shaun Ainscough, Luke Blake, Dom Brambani, Alex Bretherton, Alex Brown, James Brown, Joe Chandler, James Davey, James Harrison, Keegan Hirst, Alastair Leak, Tom Lillycrop, Dave Petersen, Wayne Reittie, Alex Rowe, Dave Scott, Cain Southernwood, Shaun Squires, Chris Ulugia.
Catalans Dragons: Lucas Albert, Louis Anderson, Jason Baitieri, Thomas Bosc, Julian Bousquet, Jodie Broughton, Rémi Casty, Vincent Duport, Tony Gigot, Justin Horo, Antoni Maria, Willie Mason, Greg Mounis, Richie Myler, Eloi Pelissier, Pat Richards, Glenn Stewart, Dave Taylor, Fouad Yaha.
Watch Batley v Catalans live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Friday from 7.45pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.
