Doncaster Rugby League Club will make their much anticipated return to the Championship on Sunday afternoon when Dewsbury Rams visit the Keepmoat Stadium.

The Dons have had a three year absence from the Championship after they were relegated at the end of their ill-fated 2009 season. However, the club has had a massive turnaround in fortunes since current chief executive Carl Hall and chairman John Scarrow took charge.

Dons head coach Tony Miller will check on forwards Grant Edwards (concussion) and Craig Robinson (calf) before finalising his team for the club’s return to the Championship. Wingman Dennis Tuffour is back in contention for the blue and gold’s after missing last week’s friendly against Wakefield.

Centre Shaun Leaf (sprained ankle) and prop Fran Welsh (swelling) should also be ready for Sunday’s opener after picking up knocks against the Wildcats. Half-back Paul Cooke has had no reaction to his broken kneecap after making his comeback against his former club last Sunday.

As part of the club’s partnership with Wakefield, Miller will have three of their young players available this weekend. Last year’s loan signing Danny Cowling, along with Bobbie Goulding and Liam Kay are in Sunday’s squad to face the Rams.

Fans and supporters of the Dons have had a couple of opportunities to see the impressive Goulding in action whilst Kay finds himself in new surroundings. The 21 year-old utility back joined the Wildcats from Bradford and started his rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos.

Miller believes the key to Doncaster’s chances this season will be their form at the Keepmoat Stadium and said: “We’ll target out home games and then try and pick up as many wins and bonus points away from home as possible.

“Last year’s success was fantastic for the club but it counts for nothing. We’re starting again from scratch and we’ll be looking to more than consolidate our place in this league.

“The players need the support from the Doncaster public more than ever before and we’re hoping for a good turnout on Sunday.

“We all know it’s going to be a very tough season, but I think we’ll be OK.”

New Dewsbury Rams head coach Glenn Morrison insists his side will be entertainers in 2013. The former Bradford, Wakefield and Parramatta star has spent the off-season encouraging his squad to have belief in their attacking ability.

He said: “Defence is a major part of winning any game, and we’ve worked on our defensive structures, but I also want the guys to play what they see and entertain the crowd.

“The fans want to see tries scored, and we’ll be throwing the ball around when we get the chance.”

Only Austin Buchanan (knee) and Ben Jones (groin) are missing from Dewsbury’s squad, forcing Morrison into some difficult early decisions.

“Unfortunately some blokes will have to miss out. They’ve all done well in pre-season, but we can only pick 17 come Sunday.

“Doncaster will be very tough, but we want to try to come out of the blocks and put in a good performance ourselves.

“It should be a good one for the fans to come and watch.”

The game has a 3pm kick-off when the Dons will be led out by new skipper Kyle Kesik. It promises to be a cracker so spread the word and tell your family and friends that the champions are back in action and back in the Championship. Miss it, miss out.

Come on you Dons! #COYD

Good to see Goulding and Cowling available, and that we have shaken off a few knocks. More info on Liam Kay here: www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/prof ... am-kay-188 Guessing he will be in the three quarters somewhere

Good to see Goulding and Cowling available, and that we have shaken off a few knocks. More info on Liam Kay here: www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/prof ... am-kay-188 Guessing he will be in the three quarters somewhere

Quote ="Jemmo":1u9wmozfGood to see Goulding and Cowling available, and that we have shaken off a few knocks. More info on Liam Kay here: www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/prof ... am-kay-188 Guessing he will be in the three quarters somewhere'" and goulding in the squad hopefully liam kay is as good as those 2. probably have to eat my words now from this mornings post about dual reg.

Quote ="Jemmo":1u9wmozfGood to see Goulding and Cowling available, and that we have shaken off a few knocks. More info on Liam Kay here: www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/prof ... am-kay-188 Guessing he will be in the three quarters somewhere'" and goulding in the squad hopefully liam kay is as good as those 2. probably have to eat my words now from this mornings post about dual reg.

looking forward to sundays game should be a good one.
tough though but i think we might just edge it 28-24

Waterman at fullback for me,hope Cunningham gets a start in the centres & maybe Cooke at 13 .

Hope the fans turn out in numbers for what should be a good game !

COYD

Will be there Sunday and a few more Sundays now the wifes retired.

Women eh?

agree with waterman at fullback and cowling partnering cunningham in centres
COYD

Butts at fullback (as long as appears more interested than last week and is available)

Cowling and waterman is a no brainer for me as a partnership, god knows they scored enough tries together last season.

Cooke at 6 as 13 doesn't give him enough creative chances and without being harsh on Fawcett I would have Goulding at 7.

If Tuffour is fit would consider him over Stu which again seems harsh but he looks very promising.

Cunningham as other centre.

I think they will be a tough side to beat tomorrow...

Now then , we cannot have 3 centres Cowling, waterman & Cunningham thats why I am going for Waterman as no1.

Miller seems to prefer Waterman at full back, must admit i was against it at first, preferred him at centre, but he performed well quick edit. Yes it would be hard on fawcett , will he give cooke more time to recover? . will be interesting . Roll on tomorrow

Dewsbury are reporting having signed Karl Pryce, that has got to be a good signing for this division if he's fit.

Not sure if he was signed in time to be in the squad for tomorrow

His carreer seems to be going backwards Jemmo, but a bit like Mick Nannyn dangerous near the try line.

Now Im redundant from Housekeeping, how bad is that. lol.

freepress claims we mightl have Walshaw but also bear no mention of Kay - personally I think its an error as I'm pretty sure he has some recovery time left? anyone know how long btw?

Lucas is still out but he's not that far off a return.

I would kike to wish all at the Dons the very best of luck going into your first game in the championship,Dewsbury have recruited well,however your spirit and team work carried over from last year will see you come out ontop.

COYD

Bookies predicting a tight game. Bet365, Skybet & Hills give the Dons 2 points start on the Handicap. The others who are quoting go 10/11 each of two (no handicap).

Weigman, Cowling would be in as a winger in my eyes, over Stu hence my Partnership with Lee point.....
SO Butts, Cowling, Waterman, Cunningham , Tuffour would be my start. Trust me after 30 years I know we cannot have 3 centres........assume you would drop Butts?

Now then didnt mean to question your RL knowledge .

MY 17

Waterman

Sanderson
Cunningham
Cowling
Tuffor

Goulding
Fawcett

Cas
Kesik
Waller

Butterfield
Robinson if fit/ C Hughes

Cooke

REPS
Carbutt
Emmett
Welsh
Kaye

18th man
Edwards if fit / C Hughes

Bit controversial I know

Dons 16 Rams 22
The better side won.
The Dons were shiite, they couldn't hold on to a thing.
Couldn't complete a set of six.
Took the wrong option almost every time.
They played like strangers and didn't have the desire of the Rams.
Let's hope things get better.
I am loving the bonus point system.
Thank fook for it, we will need it.
PS Tuffour had a great game.
The man is a diamond.

Can't disagree with Stand-Offish. Thought we were defensively poor again this week. The amount of ball we had in first 20 minutes we should have one up with more.

I can disagree with a usual negative post .
I know eveyone is due to their opinion , before you come back at me .

Didn't get going at all in first half, second half a bit better but i would agree better side on the day won. Can play a lot better , need to get used to increased pace of the game at this level. We'll be ok im sure.

Harsh but fair ,I think S-O.

I agree Rams were better than us, but, on the plus side I thought we defended very well for much of the game.
I think experience told today. We still looked Championship 1 thinking in our attacking play, barring Tuffour's tries. Too slow at the play-the-ball, where I thought the ref was lenient on them however. Far too one-dimensional, not enough running onto the ball. Chase down of our clearing kicks left a lot to be desired. Hopefully, we will learn from the experience.