Willie Peters on Hull KR’s latest suspension blow and confirmation of a long-term injury.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters admits there were no complaints after Karl Lawton received a three-match suspension for his tackle on Matty English, while also confirming a fresh injury setback within his squad.
Off-season recruit Lawton was handed a Grade E dangerous contact charge following Hull KR ’s 32-6 win over Huddersfield Giants, which marked the Robins’ first victory of the Super League season.
The forward was sent to the sin-bin for a cannonball tackle on Huddersfield’s English during the contest, with the Giants forward subsequently forced from the field.
“It’s pretty straightforward. Karl did the wrong thing and he was aware of that straight afterwards,” Peters said.
“He was apologetic, and the person we need to think about here is Matty English and making sure he’s okay. I believe he’s going for scans, so I’m not sure of the full extent of it yet. It wasn’t good for Matty, that’s for sure.
“We accept the punishment and Karl will sit on the sidelines now. We know that type of tackle needs to be out of the game. There were a couple on the weekend, so we got what we deserved in that respect.”
The round four Super League clash marked Lawton’s first Super League start since his move from the North Queensland Cowboys, with the Australian named in the back row.
He has featured in every game for the Robins so far this season but will now begin serving his suspension with this weekend’s Challenge Cup clash against Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.
“I’m sure it’s frustrating for him and we’ll all support him,” Peters added.
“But at the end of the day, Karl knows he did the wrong thing. When he has that choice to make again, he’ll make a better decision.
“He didn’t do it intentionally to hurt Matty English, but he knows now that he made the wrong decision. In hindsight, he would have handled it differently.
“Like always, regardless of the situation, we’ll support our players and make sure he’s ready to go again in a few weeks’ time.”
Meanwhile, fellow off-season recruit Declan Murphy is facing an extended spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury.
The young full-back joined the club from Salford ahead of the 2026 season and is yet to make his official debut, though he did feature in a pre-season outing against Wakefield Trinity.
Murphy now joins Arthur Mourgue in the treatment room, with the France international recently undergoing surgery on a pectoral injury sustained during the World Club Challenge.
“Dec is out for about eight weeks,” Peters confirmed.
“It’s another full-back. At the moment, they’re the ones getting injured.
“You never want to see any player get injured. Some injuries you can prevent, but there are plenty you can’t, and this was one of those – a knee injury.
“He’s only young and has a lot to learn. He’s still relatively new to the game, so it’s an opportunity for him to stay involved, learn from the coaches and bring his own ideas and thoughts. That’s important for his development.
“It’s obviously not ideal for Dec at this stage of his career, but it’s an unfortunate part of the game.”
Elsewhere, all other players came through the recent win over Huddersfield without any major injury concerns.