Hull KR make big decision on Mikey Lewis

Hull KR host rivals Hull FC for the second time this season after beating them 22-0 on the opening night of Super League, but the build-up to this Rivals Round clash has been focused on whether Mikey Lewis will or won’t play.

It was a major fixture announcement for the Hull derby to open up the Super League but it has meant that the two sides play each other twice within the opening six rounds in order to accommodate the traditional Good Friday derby.

KR likely won’t mind that they’re playing the Black and Whites for a second time given the last performance between the two and the recent form book, the Robins having won their last two whilst FC have been outscored 104-10 in their previous two games, although Willie Peters isn’t writing FC off so easily.

Despite that the bookmakers have made home side Hull KR as 22-point favourites but that line could shift dramatically based on whether star man Mikey Lewis plays or not.

The England international left the field against Huddersfield two weeks ago with a failed HIA and despite Lewis being named in the Robins’ 21-man squad and head coach Willie Peters claiming to be “really confident” that Lewis would play, some doubts remain.

Question marks have emerged due to the fact that signing Ben Reynolds has been named in the 21-man squad for the first time this season with the backup half potentially named in order to cover for Mikey Lewis should he not pass the remaining stages of his return-to-play protocols.

As for Hull FC, it was the first occasion this season where they didn’t have a player suspended but they’ve still had to overcome the hurdle of ten injured players when naming their initial 21-man squad, which has now been narrowed down to their matchday 17.

Is Mikey Lewis playing for Hull KR?

Both sides have now confirmed their matchday squads and the decision on Mikey Lewis is that he does in fact play, whilst Ben Reynolds is nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad.

Whether Reynolds’ inclusion in the 21-man squad was a red herring or if there were concerns over the playing status of Mikey Lewis is unclear but FC fans will likely be even more concerned about the prospect of a heavy defeat with Lewis’ involvement.

Once again Niall Evalds lines up at full-back with Peta Hiku in the centres where he is joined by Tom Opacic who replaces Oliver Gildart after the ex-Leigh man suffered a HIA in the victory over Salford.

As for Hull FC, they see both Jack Ashworth and Franklin Pele return from suspension and replace Liam Tindall and Nick Staveley.

Young Jack Charles is named on the bench whilst Danny Houghton makes his 40th appearance in the Hull derby, a record total.

Hull KR Team

2 – Niall Evalds
35 – Joe Burgess
1 – Peta Hiku
3 – Tom Opacic
5 – Ryan Hall
27 – Tyrone May
7 – Mikey Lewis
8 – Sauaso Sue
9 – Jez Litten
16 – Jai Whitbread
11 – Dean Hadley
12 – James Batchelor
13 – Elliot Minchella
INTERCHANGES:
14 – Matt Parcell
15 – Sam Luckley
17 – Matty Storton
20 – Kelepi Tanginoa

Hull FC Team

1 – Tex Hoy
5 – Darnell McIntosh
17 – Cam Scott
4 – Liam Sutcliffe
26 – Lewis Martin
19 – Morgan Smith
7 – Fa’amanu Brown
8 – Herman Ese’ese
9 – Danny Houghton
16 – Jack Ashworth
11- Jayden Okunbor
12 – Ligi Sao
15 – Jordan Lane
INTERCHANGES:
10 – Franklin Pele
20 – Jack Brown
21 – Will Gardiner
40 – Jack Charles