Hull KR boss comments on James Batchelor blow after RFL intervention

Hull KR boss Willie Peters has remained tight-lipped on the RFL’s decision to stand down back rower James Batchelor due to concussion.

Batchelor, who left the field in Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final win over Warrington for a HIA test, passed that test and returned to the field.

However, the game’s governing body has overruled the Robins’ medical staff, meaning that Batchelor will now miss the next 12 days of action as a result.

The RFL are in a bid to reduce long-term health issues to their players, and standing down players for concussion-related issues is one of their ways of doing that.

That doesn’t mean it is any less frustrating in the short term, with Batchelor now absent for the club’s next two games against Leigh Leopards and Wigan Warriors.

Peters refused to say much on the issue, with the Robins boss reiterating that it was an RFL decision and not a Hull KR one.

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Speaking to the press earlier today, he said: “It’s a decision from the RFL. It’s a decision that’s been made and I’m going to move forward.

When pressed again, he replied: “We’ve made a statement. The RFL have obviously made their decision. So yeah, that’s all I’ll say on it.

“I’ll just talk about this week’s game. The decision has already been made and, as I said, we’ll move forward.”

Batchelor’s absence will be a big miss, given how influential the back rower has been in recent seasons.

“He’s an important part of what we do, but it gives an opportunity to someone else,” Peters said on the blow. “They’ll step in and, I’m looking forward to seeing whoever plays in that role step up.

Players such as Rhyse Martin and Tom Whitehead are the front-runners for the role, whilst Karl Lawton is another though he has been operating at hooker in recent weeks.

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