Hull KR boss Willie Peters has confirmed that James Batchelor is considered a doubt heading into this weekend’s Challenge Cup clash with Hull FC. The Robins beat Huddersfield Giants 50-4 on Sunday, with the east Hull outfit scoring nine tries to extend their lead at the top of the Super League table.
Rovers have won all six league games this season and sit three points clear of their nearest rivals as a result. Eyes turn to the Challenge Cup this week, though, and it’s fair to say quarter-final ties don’t come much bigger as KR make the trip across the city of Hull to the take on the Black and Whites.
They might have to make the trip without Batchelor, though, who picked up a hamstring issue at the John Smith’s Stadium. Joe Burgess missed the game at Huddersfield through illness and Peters confirmed that he will be fine for the derby on Saturday.
However, he couldn’t say the same for Batchelor, who will have a scan early this week.
“He [Burgess] was sick during the week and hasn’t training a lot so we wanted to go with a team that has trained and then obviously there’s a risk there involved,” Peters told BBC Radio Humberside.
“What Jack [Broadbent] does, it doesn’t matter where he plays, at full-back, wing, centre, he always does a job. I was more than comfortable putting Jack in.”
On Batchelor he added: “We just have to wait and see with him because it was a hamstring. He’ll get scans tomorrow (Monday), not sure whether it’s tightness or there is something there.
“We got him off the field so hopefully he’s not too bad but I can’t give you anything around when and how.
“Burgess will be fine for next week, he’s OK, he just hasn’t done the training. With Batch there’s doubt around him because we brought him off and didn’t put him back on.”
Burgess’ illness prompted a shake up that saw Arthur Mourgue make his debut at full-back for the Robins and the Frenchman marked his first outing with a try and seven goals.
“I thought he was great for his first game with us. He’s only had a few sessions but you can see what type of player he is,” Peters said of his latest recruit. “We knew what we were bringing over but to see it in the first game is really positive signs.
“He can change a game, he’s quick he’s got good feet and he’s smart with the ball as well. He’s got good hands from playing in the halves and he’ll only get better.
“He did a lot of running today and we ask a lot of our full-backs but he’ll be better for the run, that’s for sure.”
What a Sunday! 😍
Have a great week, Robins ❤️#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/GoPhYTLzKI
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) March 30, 2025
