BLACKPOOL Panthers need big improvements if they are to rise to a challenge from across the channel on Sunday.

The Panther are back at Bloomfield Road for a Challenge Cup tie against top French outfit Toulouse.

The winners have the chance to take on the cream of Superleague in the next round, but Panthers will have to improve markedly on their 62-16 defeat at the hands of Rochdale Hornets last weekend.

Panthers slumped to an 11-try defeat at Spotland, their defence torn apart by the Hornets halfbacks John Braddish and Sam Butterworth, the artistry of hookers Phil Cantillon and Dave McConnell and the strong-running Lee Doran.

Coach Mark Lee had seen his side compete well in their previous three games in this competition, losing by margins of 2, 10 and 10 points, but offered no excuses for their appalling display.

"We didn't play as we trained," he said: "There was no spark and that was very worrying. We need a big improvement next week when we play Toulouse in the Powergen Challenge Cup. Players can't expect to keep their shirts on performances like that.

"The only plus was that we managed to score 16 points despite playing so poorly. Up to now we've had a chance of winning in every game but that was inexcusable. We looked lacklustre from the start and only Gary Smith, Danny Arnold and Martin Gambles came out the game with any credit."

Hornets, who led 34-10 at half-time, had a 22-point contribution from Braddish (try and nine goals) while Cantillon and Doran each scored two tries.

Ian Parry, Mick Redford and Martin Gambles scored Panthers' tries with Jake Johnstone kicking two goals. Fullback Liam Bretherton was an early casualty with a head injury.

Panthers prop John Hill and his opposite number Gareth Price were sin-binned after a 53rd-minute skirmish.

Panthers have now lost all four of their Northern Rail Cup group games and have no chance of reaching the latter stages. They play Oldham on 20 March at Preston Grasshoppers before travelling to face Swinton on Good Friday before ending their interest in the competition for the season.