With only an unrealistic mathematical chance of qualifying for the Northern Rail Cup play-offs, the Cougars' trip to the capital tomorrow to play London Skolars will be largely a fact-finding mission ahead of their trip to France to face Pia in the fourth round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Skolars hosted Pia in the third round, crashing to a 58-15 defeat, a match Cougars boss Gary Moorby is keen to learn from.

"Skolars played them in the last round so they are going to give us a video to look at, which is really handy," said Moorby.

"They beat Skolars comfortably so they are a decent side. We are not underestimating them."

As well as having a peek at the Frenchmen, Moorby may well use the trip to cast an eye over some of his fringe players. Wingers Andrew Jackson and Sam Gardiner have impressed in the senior academy and could be given their chance, said Moorby.

"We've got one or two guys who haven't had a go yet. It is doubtful now that we can qualify for the play-offs but we would still like to win these last two games. The lads certainly feel they have a point to prove against Halifax at home and we don't want to be going down to London tomorrow and slipping up. So we won't be complacent but I will probably look to give people an opportunity.

"We beat Skolars fairly easily last time (38-10) and we didn't play well. And it didn't really flow for us on Sunday but we put 60-odd points past the Russians. But I don't think we've peaked yet. When everything clicks into place we will definitely get better."

As for the impending trip to France, Moorby believes an upset is possible.

"The players will look forward to it. Travelling over there will be something different. It will be a good experience, a good bonding trip. At our level you don't often get the chance to do that.

"We'll try and go there and upset the apple cart. We supposedly go in as underdogs but if we win on French soil it will be a great victory for the club. Then there will be the possibility of getting a big club in the last 16."