Big changes as Hull KR’s pre-season preparations arrive.
Hull KR’s pre-season preparations have arrived. SWPix.
The first group of Hull KR players report back for pre-season training today as preparations begin for their title-defending 2026 campaign.
Training resumes just over a month after Willie Peters’ side achieved ultimate glory at Old Trafford, sealing a historic treble with victories in the Super League Grand Final, Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield.
This off-season has brought significant coaching changes at Sewell Group Craven Park, with former Salford and Huddersfield boss Ian Watson joining as assistant coach alongside the recent addition of ex-England international and 2017 Man of Steel Luke Gale.
The pair arrive following the departures of Danny Ward and Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Ward left to move closer to his family in London, while club legend and former captain Kenny-Dowall has ended a six-year stint in East Hull due to personal reasons, with head coach Peters paying tribute to the Kiwi icon.
International players will re-join the squad later in December, with their representative commitments only recently concluded. Mikey Lewis, Joe Burgess, and Jez Litten featured for England in the Ashes series, while Rhyse Martin (Papua New Guinea), Tyrone May (Samoa), Arthur Mourgue (France), and Louix Gorman (Ireland) were all part of their respective international squads.
Next year’s Super League fixtures will be released on Thursday, with the new season expected to kick off on February 12. Hull KR will then face Brisbane Broncos at a sold-out MKM Stadium for the World Club Challenge on Thursday, February 19, before jetting off to Las Vegas for the epic blockbuster against Leeds Rhinos at Allegiant Stadium, to form part of the NRL’s showcase event in the USA.