Morgan wields axe in effort to get Hull KR back on track

Justin Morgan has rung the changes in an effort to get Hull Kingston Rovers back into a winning habit.

The Robins have won just two of their eight Super League matches so far this season and were soundly beaten by St Helens last weekend. For today's visit by Leeds, Morgan, already without Shaun Briscoe with a serious knee injury from that match, has dropped Peter Fox and Craig Hall from his back-line. It is the second time that Fox, the England winger who has yet to score a try this season, has been relegated from the first team.

Ben Cockayne is likely to come in at full-back for Briscoe, but there could also be a debut for the 20-year-old Louis Sheriff, who has impressed in the Academy side. The club captain, Michael Vella, is back after injury, and that, Morgan believes, could help Willie Mason start to live up to his reputation.

Since an eye-catching debut, Mason has had three unexceptional performances, but Morgan this week defended his contribution. "It's been difficult for Willie, because we haven't had the players to utilise him as we would like to," he said. "I'm not displeased with what he's been doing, because he's been putting his hand up to do as much work as anyone else. He's been doing a job for us that probably isn't in his job description, but he's doing a decent job for us."

The issue for Leeds' Brian McDermott is how his side will react after throwing away a match-winning lead and having to settle for a draw against Wigan last week.

The Rhinos' coach knows that a result today will keep them in touch with the leading bunch. One of those leaders, Castleford, will be without Stuart Jones, and Terry Matterson must decide between Oliver Holmes and Steve Snitch against Salford tomorrow.