 Morgan's positive style as a player is reflected in his coaching |
Younger fans may find it hard to believe, but clubs like Featherstone and Hull Kingston Rovers actually used to reach the Challenge Cup final.
Sometimes, they even won it.
A quick look at the record books reveals that between 1967 and 1983, Featherstone's ribbons ended up on the Cup three times.
As for Hull KR, they reached three finals in the 1980s, winning just once, although that highly-satisfactory victory came against their city rivals.
 |  My first start was against St Helens in the Cup, a game that was on Grandstand... I can't remember how I prepared - I think I prayed! |
On Sunday, both Featherstone and Hull KR will get a whiff of the big time once again when they meet Craven Park in a fifth-round clash.
For veteran hooker Gavin Swinson, who has been at Featherstone most of his career, the tie holds particular significance.
"My first appearance was coming on as a replacement against Hull KR while my first start was against St Helens in the Cup, a game that was on Grandstand," he said.
"We gave away about eight stone in the pack and I was going up against Kieron Cunningham. I can't remember how I prepared for the match - I think I prayed!
"We lost something like 50-27, but we put up a good show and beat them in the second half.
"It was a great experience, one I'd have loved to have every week, but since then the club has slipped a bit. We're National League Two now and I've never played at this level before."
It could all have been so different for Swinson and Featherstone.
| We've got good half-backs and our forwards are as good as anything outside Super League |
In 1998, they reached the first National League One play-off against Wakefield but missed out on a place in Super League.
"We had a last-minute try disallowed, they went up and stayed there. Soon after we were relegated to Division Two," said Swinson.
David Hobbs, a Cup winner in 1983, now coaches Featherstone. Swinson says his guidance gives the side a good chance against the Robins.
"If we turn up with the right attitude, it's well within our capabilities to beat them," said Swinson.
"We've got good half-backs and our forwards are as good as anything outside Super League, without a shadow of a doubt.
"The only thing we lack, if anything, is a bit of experience, but if we play to our potential we've nothing to fear."
The man hoping to give Swinson something to be scared of on Sunday is Robins coach Justin Morgan.
Last season, his Toulouse side grabbed the headlines by becoming the first French side to reach the last four of the Challenge Cup.
Now he has steered Hull KR to 15 wins from 15 league and Cup games.
"When I came here last year it was important we got like-minded people involved who wanted to achieve and succeed," he told BBC Sport.
"From the chairman down to the kit man we have to have everybody reading off the same page. At the moment we are.
"It'll be good to see the club back in the top bracket soon."
Across the city, Hull FC's recent resurgence shows what can be done.
Morgan says his side are not looking to follow anyone else's example, but to do things on their own terms.
"The next step for us is to finish top two in our division, that's our goal for this year," he said.
"If we want to be serious about the step up to the next level, which is Super League, let's not be pie-in-the-sky, let's be realistic.
"If we're good enough to win the Grand Final and get promoted, I believe we could handle the step up."
| We're in a higher division and are full-time, so physically we should be better |
Morgan freely admits league success is a higher priority than a Cup run, but that does not mean he is taking Featherstone lightly.
"You have to prepare the same way for a friendly or a Grand Final, so we'll treat the game with a great deal of respect."
The teams have met twice recently, in a friendly and in a Northern Rail Cup game, with the Robins emerging triumphant on both occasions.
Morgan believes his side's superior league status will help them make it a hat-trick of wins.
"We're in a higher division and are full-time, so physically we should be better," he said.
"I'd like to believe the fact we play harder and faster matches will prepare us better for the game. That's not to say they won't compete, but I'd like to think we're better.
"We know we go in as favourites, but if Featherstone can get through to the last eight and draw a big team, it'll be a huge feather in their caps."
MMIX
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