JUSTIN Holbrook took time out at the training ground this week to answer Mike Critchley’s questions.

MC: Saturday is huge. Is the preparation any different with it being a cup tie?

JH: No. Obviously we are aware of the special occasion, that is different with the Challenge Cup. I think that is what is need at the moment for our group. We are coming into off the back of some good wins – and last week’s was ok.

The fact that it is a Challenge Cup tie is just the spark that we need this time of year.

MC: Could last week’s game have been a better preparation than simply sailing through like the previous two weeks?

JH: We were still OK last week; we scored some good tries and defended well but just had some lapses in concentration – but that can happen. We have been up for a long time. We will work hard this week and be right for Saturday.

MC: With Ben Barba being fit, do you have choices to make now with the 17?

JH: Not really – we will have it the way we had earlier on in the year and everybody will be ready to go.

MC: It is the tie of the round - what do you expect?

JH: Castleford will be a really good game and one we are looking forward to.

They will bring some players back in this week and are a strong opposition but we are OK with that.

Luke Gale will be a big miss for them – he is their organiser there. But it won’t change the way we play.

He played round one against us.

They will bring Ben Roberts back in and they have Jamie Ellis there. They still have some good halves but they will miss Gale.

MC: Do you think Cas groaned as much as Saints when that draw was made?

JH: I said at the start that you’d rather play at home – every team wants that. But I am OK going there.

It’s a small pitch and small ground – but the atmosphere is fantastic for the players.

MC: What is your view of the Challenge Cup as a competition?

JH: I love it. In Australia we traditionally follow the Challenge Cup final each year and have always had a long history of getting up to watch the final.

I think it is great that it fits where it does. It is an extra incentive.

For us overall, it is exciting because every team in the country starts in it and it works down.

It is equally big as Super League.

The difference is the league is played over 30 games and the semis, but this is just a few games.

But that adds to the excitement and you have to get it right.

There are no second chances and that gives that nervous excitement all in one that you are not used to this time of the year.

I am certainly looking forward to it.