Bulls second-rower Jeremy Donougher is a man with a mission after suffering the heartbreak of missing last year's Wembley final through injury.

As he waits to hear final confirmation that he has made the 17 to face Castleford Tigers in Saturday's fifth round tie, the towering Aussie says: "It was hard to miss out on the week's preparation with the boys leading up to the final.

"And the fact that I had to sit on a coach with a bunch of women on the way down was a bit much too, although that is no disrespect to the players' wives!

"This year I just want to play my part in getting the club back there again."

Donougher faced Hunslet, London and Old-ham in last season's competition, but then suffered a severe break of an ankle in a Super League clash - also at Oldham - two games later.

"I had the plate removed and have been running for about two months now. My fitness is coming slowly and I am starting to feel pretty confident.

"It has been a long lay-off and that has done me the world of good. I am really looking forward to the season."

Coach Matthew Elliott has still to inform his players of his selection, but admitted yesterday: "I don't think there will be too many surprises. I have pretty much the 17 names in my mind."

His major selection headache will be whether to include Donougher's second row rival Bernard Dwyer after just 16 minutes of action so far this season.

Dwyer suffered a 'dead leg' in last Saturday's hastily arranged friendly with Leeds, but Elliott says he is fit and raring to go.

Sonny Nickle makes the competition for back-row places even more intense, after recovering from the shin injury which forced him out of the fourth round tie at Rochdale.

Elliott must also decide whether to stick with youngster Kevin Crouthers on the wing or consider a three-quarter re-shuffle which might involve moving skipper Graeme Bradley back to the centre.

Cup holders St Helens are to switch their Super League fixture against neighbours Warrington on April 26 to Anfield.

The move follows last season's experiment at Liverpool's famous stadium where a crowd of 12,312 - Saints' highest of the season - watched their 'home' match against Castleford.

St Helens chief executive David Howes said: "Anfield was a highlight of the 1997 campaign, producing our biggest gate of the season and massive media and public awareness.

"The Super League philosophy for 1998 is to expand the traditional boundaries. Saints are due to meet Wigan in the extra Super League match scheduled for mid-July, and this switch to Anfield will further the cause of meeting new audiences."

Saints will mount a promotional campaign throughout Merseyside, and season-ticket holders unable to attend the Anfield fixture will be offered a refund.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.