Cougars player-coach Paul March has urged his side not to allow their thumping Challenge Cup defeat against Warrington to derail them at home to Sheffield on Sunday (3pm).

March’s side were crushed 74-4 at home by the holders last weekend as the gulf between Super League and the Kingstone Press Championship was laid bare.

Yet prior to the visit of Tony Smith’s star-studded side, the Cougars had claimed four wins in succession to kick-start their campaign in style.

They beat York City Knights, Barrow and Hunslet in league combat before turning over amateurs Siddal in the Challenge Cup.

March said: “We went into the Warrington game on the back of four straight victories and we’ve got to make sure that the confidence we gained from that hasn’t been knocked out of us.

“The Sheffield game is a big one for us because we beat them last year and we’ll be looking to do the same again this year.

“We are full of confidence in the league and we can’t have the Warrington defeat dampening that.

“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the game and we created a lot of opportunities against a world-class side. Unfortunately we didn’t take our chances and they did.

“For long periods of the game I thought we defended well but for a short period we let too many tries in. That’s something we’ve been working on in training this week.”

Last year Sheffield claimed a first major trophy since their famous 1998 Challenge Cup final win over Wigan after overcoming Featherstone in the Championship Grand Final.

They currently lie fourth in the table after ten games and March is wary of their threat.

He said: “Sheffield are the champions but I don’t think they like coming to Cougar Park, so hopefully we can put one over on them. We’ve beaten them in the past two years and hopefully that’s an omen.

“They’re a good side. Their half-backs Dominic Brambani and Pat Walker direct them around the field and they’ve got some strike power too in Menzie Yere and Michael Knowles.

“They’ve got some quality across the park and it’s up to us to stick together and play as a team and as a squad. We need to capitalise on our opportunities as and when they arise.

“We’re looking forward to it because we’re full of confidence in the league. If we can keep that confidence going, we will surprise one or two people.”

Winger Richie Barnett sustained a broken ankle at the weekend and is set for a period on the sidelines.

Matty Bailey is facing another four to five weeks out of action but March has no other major injury concerns and has chosen not to call on the services of any dual-registered Castleford players.

He said: “I’ve been offered some but we’re not taking any. We’re going to go with what we’ve got with the squad we have here. I’m happy with that.”