Gladiators test for confidence-boosted Monarchs

Edinburgh Stellar Monarchs are back in Cab Direct Championship action on Friday when they host Plymouth Gladiators (tapes-up 7.30pm).

And the Armadale combine will look to build on last week’s confidence-boosting Super Heat win at Glasgow Tigers in the BSN Series.

Paco Castagna, Monarchs’ skipper, (pictured) should have insider knowledge of Gladiators having guested for the club in Tuesday’s home reverse to Workington Comets.

The Italian scored four points from four rides, coming second in two heats, in the 47-43 defeat in their opening Cab Direct Championship match which leaves Gladiators in sixth position in the nine-strong table.

He was in at No 1 for crocked Nico Covatti who was injured in a crash in Argentina only days after signing for the English side and the rules indicate that their dispensation to cover has run out. They have yet to confirm their team.