Luke Forber: We want to challenge ourselves against the best

Rochdale Hornets back-rower Luke Forber says the squad are excited by the prospect of competing against higher-level opposition in Round 4 of the Betfred Challenge Cup this weekend.

A second half comeback saw the Hornets advance in the competition at the expense of Midlands Hurricanes earlier this month, with a Dan Nixon hat-trick inspiring them to a 24-20 victory over their Betfred League 1 counterparts at the Crown Oil Arena earlier this month. 

Up next in the competition is a trip to Batley Bulldogs - an established Betfred Championship side that reached the play-off final in 2022. 

Looking ahead to that fixture, Forber admits the chance for the squad to test themselves against second-tier opposition is something to be relished. 

"You always want to challenge yourself against better clubs. It gives us a better gage of where we're at, and we can then progress and work on things in training," he said. 

"You've got the League 1 and Championship clubs in [the Challenge Cup] at the minute, so you are playing teams of high quality. 

"Super League clubs enter in the next rounds, and you want to challenge yourself to play against those top players.

"It'll be a good run-out for the lads on Sunday, and hopefully we can progress."

A hamstring injury picked up earlier in the year means Forber will miss Sunday's trip to the Fox's Biscuits Stadium. 

Nevertheless, once back to full fitness, he is excited to play his part in helping the Hornets reach their targets over the months ahead.

"We have goals that we've set ourselves as a team - things that we want to work towards during the year," the former Clock Face Miners amateur added. 

"Pre-season is all about the new lads coming in, building as a group and pushing on as we approach the start of the league season. 

"Personally, I want to push myself to a level where I'm playing on a weekly basis. We've got a good set of lads, high-quality performers, so it's all about cementing that spot and I know I'll need to work hard to achieve that.

"We want to be pushing towards the top of the table and putting ourselves in the play-off picture, come the end of the season."