Championship outfit Batley Bulldogs have confirmed the release of six players ahead of the 2026 campaign.
After a disappointing 2025 season, the Bulldogs have made plenty of changes over the off-season as they bid to make strides towards improvement. The West Yorkshire outfit have hired James Ford as head coach, while the likes of Wes Bruines, Ben Reynolds, Robson Stevens, Liam Kirk and Evan Hodgson have joined the club to bolster the playing ranks.
However, in order to make room for the new signings, a raft of players have had to depart and the club has confirmed those players on social media this week.
Joe Arundel is perhaps the most high profile player to depart the club. The former Hull FC, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity man spent just one season with the Bulldogs, but he will be moving on to pastures new.
Samy Kibula is another name who will be familiar to Super League fans. Kibula has had three spells with the Bulldogs over the last three seasons, making 28 appearances for the club in total.
However, despite having the experience of representing Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Castleford in Super League, he will not be kept on by the Bulldogs. It means that at the age of 26, Kibula is looking for what would be a sixth club, not including loan spells.
Alfie Dean joined Keighley Cougars last month but he features on the Championship side’s list of departing players alongside Paul Chitakunye and Kieran Hepworth.
Ex-Featherstone Rovers man Jack Render has also left the club after just one season, despite scoring 11 tries in 21 appearances. He has been playing for fourth tier rugby union outfit Hull RUFC recently and featured in a back line crammed full of familiar names against Wharfedale last weekend.
Render started at inside centre, with Reece Dean at fly-half, Tom Lineham on the wing, Thomas Minns at outside centre and Challenge Cup winner Jamie Shaul at full-back.
👏 We would like to say farewell, and thank you to those departing for pastures new.
Joe Arundel, Alfie Dean, Jack Render, Kieran Hepworth, Paul Chitakunye, and Samy Kibula.
Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!#HERITAGE pic.twitter.com/kQ2GC0p6bl
— Batley Bulldogs RLFC (@BatleyRLFC) November 19, 2025
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