Hull hope new venue will bring back spectators

Hull are planning for a massive crowd for their first match at the new Kingston Communications Stadium on Saturday. The Challenge Cup tie against Halifax will mark the club's move from its historic home at the nearby Boulevard, and Hull hope that they will benefit from the same boom in support as Hull City.

The football club has drawn huge attendances since moving in at the ground it will share with Hull, who are expecting 15,000 – compared with last season's average of under 7,000 – for their first fixture.

Hull were the best supported side in the game in the early Eighties and need to tap into that level of support again if they are to avoid rattling around a 25,000 capacity stadium.

Hull are also expecting to be at full strength, apart from the former Salford forward, Warren Jowitt, who has suffered a setback to his ankle injury and will be out for six weeks.

The Sydney City Roosters will fly into Britain today with the luxury of a full week to prepare for their World Club Challenge against St Helens.

Their coach, Ricky Stuart, identified British refereeing and the British weather as his main concerns for next Friday's match at Bolton. He is to seek a meeting before the game with the referee, Russell Smith, to clarify differences of interpretation of rules.

York's Welsh international back, Chris Smith, will be able to play in their tie against Doncaster, after being found not guilty of using his forearm, the offence for which he was sent off in the previous round against Skirlaugh.

Two players from the amateur club, Siddal, have been banned for fighting during their tie at Hull KR. Liam Walsh has been suspended for four matches and Vaughan Uttley for two.

The amateur side, Redhill, have failed in their appeal against their expulsion from the National Conference's First Division after incidents in their match against Shaw Cross. Redhill, who were on a final warning over ill-discipline, had two players sent off and a Shaw Cross player was allegedly chased from the field by opponents and spectators before the match was abandoned.