Just typing that sentence creates a buzz - and make no mistake, games don't come a lot bigger at this level.

It has all the ingredients of a classic. Hull KR come desperate for success after two decades in the wilderness. Their large and loyal following are crying out for a sign that the Robins can reclaim the dizzy heights of the early 80's. Add the Steve Linnane factor and it becomes very interesting indeed.

As for Hornets - we're desperate to show that we're capable of raising our performance for the games that matter. Having stumbled at this stage for the last two years, Hally will want to show that we can improve on previous seasons and hold our hands up as genuine contenders. And the fans are gagging for it too! Continued success brings a heavy burden of expectation - and another year's disappointment could be too much to bear.

Linnane's Rovers side will arive here full of confidence, having hit the playoffs on the back of a rich vein of form. And it's no coincidence that their improvement began with the addition of Paul Mansson to the squad. Playing alongside his old cohort Latham Tawhai, he's got what previously looked like a pedestrian Rovers side firing on all cylinders.

Scholars of the game will recognise that the Mansson/Tawhai combination is massively more effective than the sum of its parts. Each, on his day, has the ability to unlock defences and produce moments of magic - but together they're an irresistable force that's proven to drive their side forward.

The battle between these two and Ian Watson/Radney Bowker will be worth watching on its own.

Up front Rovers have a big, mobile battering-ram of a pack including Kumul Makali Aizue, veteran enforcer Paul Fletcher and ex-Hornet Jon Aston who's having a storming season.

But it's out wide where the danger really comes. Having pushed 6 tries up Oldham last week, it's interesting to note that they were shared between wingers, centres and half backs: Mansson grabbing one, setting up one for Tawhai and having a hand in pretty much all of the others.

With that sort of momentum, no wonder Steve Linnane's confident.

In the Hornets camp, Hally's taciturn analysis of last week's scrambling win over a pugnacious Whitehaven hides an obvious frustration.

"Without doubt Hull KR will be a tough proposition. We won't be expecting it to be any different from the three times we have played them this season. They beat us in the Challenge Cup, but we have won both league matches. It' s play-off rugby, so hopefully we will be prepared. We say the same things week in, week out about defending, but we don't seem to be learning." As always the master of understatement.

If ever there was a week to finally realise that defenceand respect for posession wins you games, this is it. A 15 out of 16 completion rate set the foundation for the Robins' win last week - and we've got to be looking to do something similar on Sunday.

You might just get away with repeatedly coughing the ball before the frst tackle against Whitehaven, but teams with guile and pace out wide will punish you much more severely.

Be in no doubt - if ever we were going to play to our potential, Sunday's the day.

And you can play your part. Already the red and white army is gathering on Humberside and we're expecting Robins fans in huge numbers - so, while we meekly accept that we're going to be outnumbered, there's no excuse for not getting behind your side with pride and passion.

The Wilbutts Lane stand will be open for the use of Robins' supporters, which gives Hornets fans a chance to get together in the main stand, make some noise and give the lads a valuable lift. We may be small in number, but there's no doubting our loyalty and commitment. Everyone who pulls on a Hornets jersey on Sunday afternoon - players and supporters alike - is required to give 100%. We're in this together and your club needs you - so get there early and let's get behind the lads on the next stage of this season's big adventure.

Onward Hornets Onward.