HOWARTH: TIGERS WILL BE CONTENDERS

SHEFFIELD skipper Kyle Howarth is targeting a fast start to the season to launch the Tigers’ title defence later this month.

Howarth led the Owlerton side to Premiership glory with a dramatic Grand Final comeback triumph over Ipswich last autumn, and their bid to go back-to-back kicks off with a trip to newcomers Oxford on March 21.

That meeting is quickly followed by another away match against a club making the step up, as the champions visit Birmingham four nights later. Said Howarth: “The team is looking solid from 1-7, it’s looking great and it’s a Grand Final winning contender again.

“Steady (Simon Stead – team manager) got a great atmosphere going in the team last year and there’s no reason why we can’t have that again.

“If we can keep the team injury free, get the ball rolling early on and get some really big wins early on then there’s no reason why we can’t follow that on through the season.”