Hull KR have several options ready to go.
Tom Whitehead made his first start for Hull KR in the Challenge Cup fourth round contest with Huddersfield Giants.
Hull KR have several options ready to go following the injury to back-rower Rhyse Martin.
The Papua New Guinea international is expected to miss the next month of action due to a broken foot sustained in the recent 52-12 Challenge Cup win over Huddersfield Giants, booking their spot in the quarter-finals to continue their title defence.
Having missed the fourth round trip to the Accu Stadium, influential back-rower James Batchelor is back available and has travelled to Perpignan for this weekend’s clash with Catalans Dragons.
Head coach Willie Peters has several other options to replace Martin, who had featured in every game for the Robins so far this year – with three stars, and three more appearances from the interchange bench.
“We’ve got options. Dean [Hadley] can go there, and we’ve got Batch [James Batchelor] coming back this week,” Peters said.
“We’ve used Jai Whitbread there in the back-row as well, and of course, Tom [Whitehead].”
Off-season signing Whitehead, 23, made the move to Sewell Group Craven Park for 2026 from Warrington Wolves. He made his first Rovers start against Huddersfield, scoring the opening try with Hull KR going on to score eight more in a one-sided Challenge Cup tie.
“I thought Tom put his hand up at the weekend and there were a couple of errors in his game, but he did a reasonable job,” Peters added.
“There’s no doubt he’s going to play a part in our team this year going forward.
“Tom’s reason for moving on from Warrington was to look for more game time opportunity, and he got that at the weekend, and he will do throughout the year for us.
“He got that opportunity because of what he’s done in the pre-season, he’s earned that trust from his team-mates.
“When you do that, it makes our job as coaches harder because you’ve got to pick a team. But it’s also easier if an opportunity arises because you know his team-mates value what he does and they trust him.
“The most important thing for me as a coach is making sure that whoever comes in, those other guys want to play with that player.
“Certainly, I know they want to play with Tom.”