Bower looks ahead to Donny clash

07/01/2020

Connor Bower is excited to get his first game as an Eagle under his belt as the 1895 Cup winners travel to Doncaster for their opening pre-season fixture on Sunday 19th January.

The former Hull FC youth product made the switch from Dons to Eagles in the off-season and is settling into his new surroundings nicely.

The Dons fixture will be followed by a friendly at Keighley a week later and Bower knows the importance of a strong impact in these games, as he aims to be a starter for the club’s first league game against Halifax.

“For me it’s just another game, but it’s an exciting time playing my first game for Sheffield and it’s about trying not to let the occasion get the better of me,” Bower said ahead of the Doncaster match.

“There is a bit of banter between a few of the lads but it’s just another game, and I am just looking forward to getting that first game in for the Eagles.

“Pre-season games are a real good opportunity to see what we’re about as a team and see who wants to be on that team sheet for round one.

“Hopefully I’ll put in a decent performance and Tubbs puts me on the sheet for the Halifax game. All I can do is perform well and the lads will be wanting to do the same.”

With James Glover and Zack McComb putting up a fight for the centre spots against Bower, the atmosphere has been a healthy one around the trio in training.

Glover impressed in his debut year for the Eagles before suffering a season-ending injury against Barrow at the Summer Bash, while McComb was a standout for Oldham in their promotion-winning season.

Bower is happy to be pushed by his fellow centres, highlighting that the competition for places can only mean good things for the squad as a whole.

“We’re always trying to push each other, have a bit of banter, but everyone knows Glover is coming back from a long-term injury; he’s always there, giving tips and being involved,” he added.

"Zack is a really good player too so having that competition is good as if one becomes complacent, there’s another to take that shirt.

“It’s about pushing us and Keith knows there’s a bit of competition too so he’s on top of it as well. It’s only going to bring the best out of us.”

By Dan Fowler, photo by Alex Coleman