An insight into Hull KR’s pre-season so far under the club’s new coaching set-up.
Luke Gale has joined Hull KR’s coaching team ahead of Super League 2026.(Image: Hull KR)
Hull KR’s new coaching dynamic has made an immediate impact at Sewell Group Craven Park ahead of the club’s title-defending campaign.
Hull Live understands that Ian Watson and Luke Gale have brought fresh ideas and philosophies into their respective roles after joining Willie Peters’ coaching staff, replacing Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Danny Ward.
Ward stepped down in late October to return to London and be closer to family, before club legend and former captain Kenny-Dowall departed in November due to personal reasons.
The Robins moved swiftly to secure their replacements, with 2017 Man of Steel winner Gale helping to lead the club’s attacking systems heading into the new season. He joined from Wakefield Trinity after spending time on Daryl Powell’s coaching staff following his retirement at the end of 2024.
It is understood the 37-year-old has already introduced a fresh approach and new ideas at Rovers, having made close to 400 professional appearances at clubs such as Bradford, Castleford and Leeds.
Gale also won 10 international caps for England, including reaching the Rugby League World Cup Final in 2017, and lifted the Challenge Cup in 2020.
Meanwhile, former Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils head coach Watson has returned from a stint in rugby union in the United States to join Hull KR on a two-year deal.
A hands-on and well-respected figure within the game, the playing group have instantly bought into his defensive methods. He spent 2025 with Major League Rugby side Seattle Seawolves, an eye-catching experience that has helped broaden his coaching outlook.
Watson, 49, led Salford to their first-ever Grand Final in 2019, and later the Challenge Cup showdown in 2020.
He reached the prestigious Challenge Cup Final again in 2022 with Huddersfield, falling just short to Wigan Warriors at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium.