Whilst the 2025 season has not even started, Hull KR have reportedly made a splash signing for the 2026 campaign but where does that player fit?
The Robins were keen to do some of their 2025 business early, as seen when they announced the signing of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves all the way back in February, almost a year prior to the 2025 Super League campaign.
After doing much of their squad-building for 2025 during or immediately after the 2024 campaign, it has meant that the off-season has allowed the club a chance to evaluate their 2026 squad.
One of the reasons why they’ve been able to do that is the change to the laws around when off-contract players can be contacted by rival clubs. The deadline for that has shifted from May 1st to December 1st, meaning players who see their contract expire at the end of 2025 can begin negotiating their 2026 deals as soon as December 1st hits.
Hull KR appear to have taken advantage of that as reports from France, initially from L’Independant, revealed that Catalans Dragons star Arthur Mourgue has signed with the Robins for 2026.
That report quoted Catalans owner Bernard Guasch as saying: “We didn’t even discuss money. He came to see me to tell me that he wanted to go elsewhere and he had signed with another club.”
Whilst no deal has been confirmed, it looks incredibly likely that the Frenchman will be arriving at Craven Park in 2026 so we’ve looked at where he could fit in.
Where Hull KR could fit in reported signing Arthur Mourgue
Credit: Rémi Vignaud/Catalans Dragons/SWpix.com
So much of where Arthur Mourgue plays for Hull KR depends on how the club negotiate their current off-contract players as two key spine players see their deals expire at the end of the 2025 season.
Mourgue is capable of playing in both the halves or at full-back, the latter being the position that he naturally developed at Catalans – doing so under the tutelage of Sam Tomkins.
Hull KR have both Niall Evalds and Tyrone May off contract at the end of the season so with reports that Mourgue is arriving for 2026, it seems likely that one of those players could depart.
Mourgue at full-back
Should Hull KR opt not to renew the deal for Niall Evalds, who is the older of the off-contract spine players, then Mourgue would naturally slide into that role to form a one, six, seven and nine featuring himself, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May and Jez Litten.
They would also retain cover at full-back through versatile players such as Jack Broadbent making it feasible that Evalds, who turns 32 by the end of the 2025 season, could be allowed to depart.
A counter for this would be that whilst he will be 32, he’s coming off one of the best seasons of his career and does not take up an overseas quota spot, unlike May.
Mourgue at half-back
With Mikey Lewis being handed the number six shirt, it’s evident that his playing partner will take on the seven role. Currently, that is Tyrone May but just like Evalds, he is also off-contract at the end of 2025.
May also had a stellar debut season at Craven Park and at 28, turning 29, could be approaching the peak of his powers which is a blessing and a curse. Performance-wise, May improving cannot be a negative, however, when it comes to a new contract negotiation it could see the salary cap of the Robins pushed tight – particularly in light of recent long-term deals for the likes of Elliot Minchella and James Batchelor.
Mourgue moved into the halves more and more in 2024 and could certainly do so for Hull KR, which would potentially allow a Tyrone May exit – likely saving money on the salary cap and freeing up an overseas quota spot.
Verdict
Mourgue is arguably more suited to full-back given that it is his natural position but a move into seven has seemingly been on the cards at Catalans and could be the plan for the Robins who would free up a valuable quota spot. Wherever the Frenchman plays, if he signs for Hull KR then it is only good news for Willie Peters’ club.
