Hull KR’s Challenge Cup title defence continues this weekend at Huddersfield Giants.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters with the Challenge Cup at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Head coach Willie Peters insists Hull KR feel no extra pressure as Challenge Cup holders ahead of their fourth round clash with Huddersfield Giants.
The Robins ended a 40-year wait for major silverware last June with a dramatic 8-6 Wembley victory over Warrington Wolves. That triumph sparked a sensational campaign as Rovers went on to win the lot in a historic season for the East Hull club.
Now their Challenge Cup defence continues this weekend with another trip to West Yorkshire. Hull KR finally kick-started their Super League campaign with an emphatic 32-6 win over an injury-hit Huddersfield side last week.
The reigning champions knew they would be the hunted this year after the successes of 2025, but Peters insists there’s no added pressure on his side as title holders in the prestigious competition.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “You could say that about any game because we hold all the trophies at the moment.
“There’s a different pressure in terms of every team you play – no matter the competition – they’re up for it.
“People talk about us being hunted and all that, and every team that comes against us is gunning for us. We know that.
“It’s about controlling the areas we can and how we prepare and apply ourselves every week.”
Rovers controlled last week’s Super League meeting at the Accu Stadium, running in six tries to claim their first points of the season.
Peters has hinted he could shuffle his squad for Saturday’s tie, while confirming Bill Leyland will replace the suspended Karl Lawton.
Huddersfield boss Luke Robinson, meanwhile, is battling a mounting injury crisis with 15 players sidelined and another unavailable through being cup-tied.
But Peters has warned his side not to expect an easy ride.
“Huddersfield will still put together a good team,” he said. “I know they’re talking about a couple of young guys, but they’ve still got experienced players in there as well.
“They’ve got some big forwards too. They went with a big pack last week with plenty of experience.
“They were competitive from minute one to minute 79 last week.
“We know what we’re going to get, but we want to focus on us. That’s been our attitude for a while because we need to get ourselves right.”