After confirming six ex-Super League men to their 2026 squad, one Championship side have made an incredible gesture to Featherstone Rovers’ fans.
On the eve of the Championship season starting, Featherstone had it confirmed to them by the RFL that they had been denied membership meaning that Rovers would not be able to compete in the 2026 campaign.
It’s a massive blow for the sport and for Featherstone, whose fans now won’t have a club to follow in 2026, although plans are in place to resurrect the club for 2027. One of those involved in a possible bid is Rovers head coach Paul Cooke, who outlined his plans in a statement shared to media.
As for the current season, Featherstone fans have been made a very generous offer by rival Championship Hunslet, who play just 15 miles away in South Leeds.
Hunslet launch initiative to support Featherstone Rovers
Hunslet have confirmed the launch of a Rovers Return season ticket which grants Featherstone fans access to all Hunslet league games at the cost of £180. Half of that money will then be put aside and either passed on to any supporter-owned Featherstone phoenix club, or if that doesn’t materialise then the funds will go to the Featherstone Rovers Foundation.
It’s an incredible offer for Rovers fans who would still be able to watch Championship rugby, albeit 25 minutes away, at a good price whilst also contributing to the future of the club or the foundation.
Explaining that decision, Hunslet CEO Neil Hampshire said: It’s been fantastic to hear that since the announcement from the RFL, several individuals have now gone on record to say they intend to do everything they can to ensure Fev are back in the Championship in 2027, including local councillors.
“I’ve also been contacted for information about the potential for a “supporter ownership” model and am only too happy to be providing assistance. I’m sure that if all of these parties can work together collectively, then that will allow them to build the strongest possible business case for the ‘Rovers Return’.”
Hunslet launch squad numbers for 2026 season
Hunslet announced that on Friday, the day of the Championship campaign beginning, and just a few hours after the launch of their 2026 squad numbers.
That squad features a number of former Super League men with Kyle Trout’s side, who finished at the foot of the Championship in 2025, looking stronger for their 2026 campaign in the expanded competition.
Among the former Super League men are ex-St Helens back Matty Dawson-Jones as well as former Wakefield duo Lee Gaskell and Eddie Battye.
Other potentially less familiar Super League names include Myles Harrop who played just once for Salford, whilst forwards Emmerson Whittell and Kein Larroyer take shirt numbers 15 and 17, with Larroyer a part of the 2015 Hull KR Challenge Cup Final squad.
Hunslet kick off their Championship campaign with a trip to Halifax Panthers before travelling to either Stanningley or Dewsbury Moor in round two of the Challenge Cup.
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Hunslet 2026 squad numbers
1. Billy Jowitt
2. Coby Nichol
3. Myles Harrop
4. Matty Dawson-Jones
5. Mo Agoro
6. Lee Gaskell
7. Dan Abram
8. Harvey Hallas
9. Bailey Aldridge
10. Keelan Foster
11. Harrison Gilmore
12. Darcy Simpson
13. Eddie Battye
14. Cam Berry
15. Emmerson Whittel
16. Elijah Simpson
17. Kevin Larroyer
18. Jimmy Watson
19. Mason Corbett
20. Liam Carr
21. Mackenzie Turner
22. Jack Ward
23. Lewis Hagan
24. Jimmy Morgan
26. Ethan O’Hanlon
🎫 | The Club in conjunction with main sponsor 247 Blinds have created a ‘Rovers Return’ 2026 season ticket for Rovers Supporters with 50% of the income being ring fenced to pass on to any successful, full or part, Fev supporter ownership bid. If that doesn’t materialise, then we… pic.twitter.com/ynn7nUEkfr
— Hunslet RLFC (@HunsletRLFC) January 16, 2026
