Hull KR have been linked with a move for North Queensland Cowboys forward Karl Lawton as they approach the 2026 Super League season.
All Out Rugby League made link last week with the Robins said to be looking to the Australian as a replacement for Kelepi Tanginoa, who has left the treble winners to join Warrington Wolves.
KR are still fairly stacked in the back-row, with Dean Hadley, Rhyse Martin and James Batchelor battling it out for the two starting spots in the side. Lawton would be much more than just a second-row option, though, with his versatility something that can be seen as an attraction.
In fact, he can play at loose-forward or hooker, with a chunk of his time being spent at nine in recent seasons. Of course, Jez Litten has that role locked down heading into 2026.
So, if KR were to land Lawton, what sort of role might he be expected to play and how might Willie Peters’ side line up? We’ve taken a look.
Well, the first thing to note is that after winning the treble in 2025, Willie Peters isn’t expected to make too many changes to his side. Tom Amone is the only signing made so far that can expect to command a starting spot going into round one against York Knights, while the likes or Jordan Dezaria, Tom Whitehead, Jumah Sambou, Jack Charles and Declan Murphy will all be competing for spots as the season progresses.
Therefore, the starting XIII won’t be too different to the one that won the Grand Final in October, with the exception of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Micky McIlorum, who have retired.
Arthur Mourgue can expect to start at full-back then, while Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart and Joe Burgess will be playing in the back line behind half-backs Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May.
The first change comes in the front row with Amone taking a starting spot alongside Sauaso Sue. Irrespective of whether KR sign Lawton, Jez Litten will be first choice hooker after establishing himself as the best nine the Northern Hemisphere has to offer.
Hadley and Batchelor are probably the preferred pairing in the back-row with Elliot Minchella at 13. Carrying Lawton on the bench would allow Peters to spell any of the above trio, while it would also give him the opportunity to ensure Litten’s time on the field is managed appropriately.
Martin also offers second row options and given his talents, it would be a surprise if he wasn’t named in the 17, while Sam Luckley and Jai Whitbread provide size and energy off the bench.
How Hull KR could line up if they sign Karl Lawton
Arthur Mourgue; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Tom Amone, Jez Litten, Sauaso Sue; Dean Hadley, James Batchelor; Elliot Minchella.
Bench: Karl Lawton, Rhyse Martin, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread.
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