Hull KR will be desperate to get back to winning ways this evening when they host St Helens in what is undoubtedly one of the ties of the Super League round.
The Robins fell to a surprise defeat last time out against Catalans Dragons and as they enter round six, they have just one Super League win on their 2026 record. This evening’s clash will be far from straightforward, though, with the Saints on a five-game winning streak in all competitions.
Paul Rowley’s side are starting to build up a head of steam in Super League and while they continue to be without key men, their spine is starting to click and they’ve been miserly in defence.
They’ve beaten the likes of Leigh Leopards and Bradford Bulls so far, but a result over the Robins would be their biggest of the season by some distance and it would certainly lay down a marker of intent moving forward.
Last season’s treble winners will be more than wary of the threat St Helens pose then and it promises to be an intriguing encounter.
Here’s how both sides could line up.
Rovers were some way short of their best last weekend, with key men coming up with uncharacteristic mistakes in the south of France. However, Willie Peters can be expected to give those players the chance to redeem themselves once more and that means, barring any late injury issues, KR can be expected to name an unchanged 17-man squad.
There could be some alterations around that 17, with players swapping starting roles for the bench, but there will be continuity in selection from Peters. That means Jack Broadbent starts at full-back, with the back line remaining unchanged once more.
The only change we have is a subtle one, with Dean Hadley potentially starting in the back-row instead of Tom Whitehead, in a change that sees the former Warrington Wolves man drop to the bench and Tom Amone come in through the middle.
St Helens will be boosted by the return of two men this week with Daryl Clark fit to play after failing a HIA in the Challenge Cup clash at Castleford Tigers a fortnight ago. He’ll come in to play hooker in a switch that will likely see Jake Wingfield drop to the bench.
The other change will come at loose-forward with Joe Shorrocks able to play after serving a two-match ban. He’ll start the game with David Klemmer moved up to prop. The St Helens back line will remain unchanged, with Tristan Sailor set to split his time between full-back and the halves, despite what it might say on the Saints’ teamsheet.
George Whitby misses out after failing a HIA and Alfie Sinclair looks set to be the other man to make way for the Saints.
Predicted Hull KR v St Helens teams
Hull KR: Jack Broadbent; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, om Amone; Dean Hadley, James Batchelor,; Elliot Minchella.
Bench: Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Bill Leyland, Tom Whitehead.
St Helens: Harry Robertson; Owen Dagnall, Mark Percival, Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy; Tristan Sailor, Jackson Hastings; David Klemmer, Daryl Clark, George Delaney; Shane Wright, Matt Whitley; Joe Shorrocks
Bench: Jake Wingfield, Agnatius Paasi, Noah Stephens, Jake Davies.
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