Wakefield Trinity Ladies RL head coach, Liam Harnell, has been speaking with the club’s media team ahead of Sunday’s final pre-season clash with Salford Red Devils.

How did you overall assess the performance level last weekend against Hull KR?

We were pleased with how we handled the game last week. With it being our first pre-season friendly you’re never quite sure how it’s going to unfold. We also didn’t know much about KR, so you’re always a little unsure of how the game will play out. There were a couple of non-negotiables we spoke about leading up to the game, one of those being we will not be out enthused, and I think the girls certainly delivered on that.

A lot of new faces have entered the squad – with Sunday being their first run-out – how do you think the team gelled?

We gelled really well. The new signings have come in and they feel they have a point to prove, which you do as a player coming into a new team. We still have some settling down to do in terms of our offensive structure, but that will come in time as the girls start getting used to playing with each other.

The club is building foundations – how important will confidence be going into the new season?

Confidence should be high, we put in a great team performance last week. As with anything though, it’s important we stay grounded and look to self-improve and work on the little things we didn’t get right, which is something the girls have done throughout the last week at training. The girls’ attitude is fantastic and we just want to build on this strong foundation and improve our performances on the field each week.

Onto Salford, they are a strong pack, despite being in the Championship. How much do you know about the side you’re facing on Sunday?

You’ve said it there, we are under no illusion that Salford will be an easy test. We will come focused and ready to take on that arm wrestle in the middle of the park. Again, you can’t read too much into these pre-season friendlies, there will be a lot of swapping and changing and giving different players as many minutes as possible. We will do this to be as ready as we can for the Challenge Cup run of fixtures.

Heading into that first game against Castleford next weekend – how important is a victory and a positive performance in Cadishead on Sunday?

A win is always good for team morale and confidence. We go into every game with an ambition to win. We’re a competitive bunch and I know that the girls won’t need the motivation to compete. We have worked on quite a few bits and pieces throughout the week and I know the girls will want to get those right this weekend. If we do, I’m confident we will come away with the win this Sunday.