Danville: "Derby Games Are About Pride – We Have to Earn Everything Again"

There is always something different about derby week.

As Skirlaugh prepare to welcome local rivals Hull Dockers to Eastside, Head Coach Matt Danville knows league positions and previous results will have little bearing once the whistle sounds.

Despite Skirlaugh's impressive campaign and a convincing 32-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Danville insists his side will be starting from scratch.

"Derby games always carry that little bit extra. It means a lot to everyone connected with Skirlaugh because there's local pride on the line, and you know how much the result means to the players. We've worked hard to put ourselves in a strong position this season, but games like this are about representing the badge and making sure we do the club proud."

Hull Dockers may have endured a difficult season, but Danville expects a completely different challenge this weekend.

"Form and league position go out of the window in derby games. Hull Dockers will be fired up, and they'll see this as an opportunity to make a statement. We won't be taking anything for granted because we know they'll be desperate to produce one of their best performances of the season."

The earlier victory over the Dockers has been firmly parked.

"It counts for nothing. Every game is different, and once the whistle goes it's a fresh contest. We earned that result earlier in the year, but it gives us no advantage this weekend. We'll have to earn everything again through our attitude, effort and execution."

Training this week has centred on maintaining the standards that have become synonymous with Skirlaugh's season.

"The focus has been on ourselves. We've worked hard on our defensive standards, completing our sets, building pressure and making sure we're clinical when opportunities come. If we stick to our processes and play the style of rugby we know we're capable of, we'll give ourselves every chance."

One of the biggest messages to the squad has been controlling emotions in what promises to be another fiercely contested local derby.

"Passion is important, but it has to be controlled. We want to play with aggression and intensity, but it has to be smart aggression. Teams that lose discipline in derby games often end up beating themselves, so we've spoken a lot about staying composed, backing each other and focusing on the next job."

Throughout the season, Danville has repeatedly highlighted the culture being built within the squad, and he believes that togetherness continues to be the team's biggest strength.

"I know I mention it a lot, and the players do too, but it's something I'm really passionate about. We're building a team that genuinely cares for each other and pushes one another to become the best version of themselves, both on and off the field.

"We've had injuries, players away and different challenges throughout the year, but whoever comes into the side knows what's required and has stepped up. The work ethic and commitment to each other has been outstanding, and that's been a huge reason why we've continued to pick up results."

Competition for places has ensured standards remain high, with several players catching the coaching staff's eye in recent weeks.

"Competition for places is exactly what you want as a coach. Ben Hookem, Brad Johnson, Harvey Dickson, Connah Oliver and Jack Johnson all impressed last week and are really knocking on the door.

"We've got a few regular first-team lads unavailable through holidays and a couple of injury doubts, so someone is going to get an opportunity. That's a great position for us to be in.

"The Academy are preparing for their Yorkshire Plate Final next week at Batley Stadium, so the whole club is buzzing. We had 33 players at training on Tuesday, which is outstanding for this stage of the season. It's a credit to every one of the lads because they're driving the standards every week, and that makes our job as coaches that little bit easier."

Danville knows that matching Hull Dockers physically will be vital if Skirlaugh are to claim another two competition points.

"They're a physical side and they'll want to build momentum through the middle and feed off the emotion of a derby. We need to match that physicality, defend well, control field position and possession, and stop them gaining confidence."

While victory is the objective, the Head Coach is looking for another performance that reflects the identity his side has built throughout the campaign.

"I want to see us defend with real commitment, work hard for each other, stay disciplined and play with confidence when we've got the ball. If we do those things for 80 minutes, the result will usually take care of itself.

"I'm looking for a strong team performance that we can carry into next week's National Cup quarter-final away at Wigan. That's another massive challenge, but our full focus right now is on Saturday and making sure we're ready for another big derby occasion."