James Webster has a new role at Hull KR ahead of 2026.
James Webster has a new role at Hull KR ahead of 2026.(Image: Hull KR)
James Webster has been appointed Hull KR’s new scholarship head coach for the 2026 season.
Webster, now 46, represented the Robins as a player across four seasons, leading the club to Super League in 2006 as captain. He made a total of 94 appearances, scoring 33 tries.
He acted as interim head coach at Hull KR in 2016, and later served as an assistant to Tim Sheens. He returned to Sewell Group Craven Park ahead of the 2025 season on the club’s academy coaching staff, working with Rovers’ rising half-backs.
Hull KR have recruited 22 new players to their scholarship programme for 2026 from Skirlaugh Bulls, West Hull, Hull Wyke, Myton Warriors, Bridgend Bulls and Cynon Valley Cavaliers, with the young outfit having recorded six wins from eight games last season.
“The last month has been a really positive and refreshing one for me personally,” Webster said. “I have loved working with the scholars as they seem so keen to learn.
“All the staff have a common goal of developing these players to allow each of them to have the basis to progress to the academy. I’m eager to continue the training and development of these young players on and off the field, and the season can’t come quick enough.”
Webster has also worked at Wakefield Trinity and Featherstone Rovers across his coaching career.
On the latest appointment, Hull KR’s head of rugby Pete Riding commented: “I am absolutely delighted that James has accepted our offer to lead the club’s scholarship program. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that can improve the side.
“The holistic development of our young players is incredibly important and the quality of people we put around our young people is very important to us and their development.
“I am very excited to be working with James going forward and look forward to seeing our scholarship side get to work for 2026.”