Epifania makes cup bow

It will be his first match in the Challenge Cup, the first time he's come up against English amateur opposition, and the first time he's run out at Headingley.

It should also provide the Aussie with his first win in seven attempts as boss and the Wasps with their first victory in 26 matches, having suffered a club record 25th consecutive defeat last week at Rochdale.

"It will definitely be something different," he told the Evening Press.

"The Challenge Cup is popular down in Australia, it's well known and it's a good competition.

"The game provides us with a good chance to show we're not as bad as how we've been at times played this season. It's a chance for the boys to get their confidence up, although we've still to go out there and do it. We know a win is not going to just present itself to us."

Milford are in division two of the National Conference League but are unlikely to be pushovers.

Despite defeat by second-placed Crosfield last week, confidence is high as they too push for promotion. They are above both York Acorn and Heworth in the table and in earlier rounds of the Cup knocked out Millom and premier division Walney Central.

They also have professional pedigree in their largely home-grown squad.

Former Leeds, Bradford, Hunslet and England star Paul Cook, 25, whose playing days were cut short by a groin injury, and ex-Bramley and Hunslet coach Peter Jarvis are in charge, while former Bramley duo Marc Gibson, who also played for Sheffield, and Eugene Currie, who had a spell at Hunslet, are at stand-off and prop, respectively.

They have reported a full strength squad barring scrum-half Martin Kelly, who is probably out for the season with a shoulder problem.

Epifania, meanwhile, is likely to try Mark Cain at lock, with Scott Yeaman and Jonny Liddell at half-back. Carl Hall is likely to be fit after hamstring trouble, while Andy Precious, if fit, will start on the bench, being joined by Darren Crake and Rob Lee.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, January 26, 2002