Hull KR predicted XIII as James Batchelor replacement and Arthur Mourgue questions answered

With James Batchelor ruled out and Arthur Mourgue looming in the background awaiting his return from injury, Willie Peters has some big decisions to make when he selects his Hull KR team to take on Leigh Leopards this evening.

Peters has made just one change to his 21-man squad with young half-back Jack Charles replacing Batchelor, who has been stood down by the RFL after his Challenge Cup head knock.

It means that Batchelor and Jordan Dezaria (eye) are the only players from Hull KR’s top 21 who are absent, hence the headaches for Peters with the biggest of those coming regarding Arthur Mourgue.

The Frenchman tore his pec in the World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos and whilst named in the 21-man squad to take on Warrington last week, he was held back with this today’s game his likely return.

This clash against Leigh Leopards was always the scheduled return date for Mourgue but Peters now has to work out if he throws him in at the deep end as the starting full-back, if he bloods him in off the bench, or if he opts to leave him out all together.

We’ve made our prediction for what the Australian will do with a starting XIII and interchange bench selected.

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How Hull KR could line up against Leigh Leopards

Full-back: Jack Broadbent

With Hull KR in such a good flow at the moment, it doesn’t seem the time to throw Arthur Mourgue in against a team finding their feet as Leigh are. Broadbent has been so accomplished in his recent performances and next week’s Super League tie against Wigan, a week before the Challenge Cup final against the same opponents, is a perfect opportunity to give Arthur Mourgue 80 minutes.

Wingers: Tom Davies and Joe Burgess

Unless injured, this pair are the obvious starters. Joe Burgess has been scoring tries for fun in Super League and whilst Tom Davies got a hat-trick against Castleford, it’s his work early in sets that make him so valuable.

Centres: Peta Hiku and Oliver Gildart

Like the wingers, there’s no reason to change this duo unless there are injury concerns. Hiku was brilliant against Warrington whilst Gildart crossed over for a try and helped his winger to two as well.

Halves: Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May

Ranked by Jon Wilkin recently as the best half-back pairing in Super League and it’s easy to understand why he holds that view. In a game like this, they’ll both need to step up as well.

Props: Sauaso Sue and Tom Amone

The starting props against Warrington and they’re likely to go again, especially as Batchelor’s injury makes Dean Hadley all the more essential in the second-row.

Hooker: Karl Lawton

Willie Peters has named Lawton as his starting nine the past couple of weeks in a similar usage to that of Micky McIlorum last year, ensuring the first 20 minutes are hugely physical. Jez Litten will then replace him and from that point, Lawton becomes a viable option in the second-row in the absence of Batchelor.

Second-rowers: Rhyse Martin and Dean Hadley

Rhyse Martin could be the man to replace James Batchelor with the accomplished goal-kicker finding his form of late from the bench. He’ll partner Dean Hadley and the pair will rotate with Karl Lawton, once he’s done his shift at hooker, and likely Jai Whitbread.

Loose forward: Elliot Minchella

The captain has been in fine form of late and whilst his minutes have been reduced at times, this could be a game where he’s tasked with playing longer minutes, something he’s well capable of.

Interchanges: Jez Litten, Arthur Mourgue, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread

With Lawton starting, it means Litten will come off the bench and likely play the final 60 minutes and the other interchanges will be used on rotating the pack with Luckley, Whitbread and the subbed-off Lawton. Arthur Mourgue could also be blooded in off the bench, something that Adrian Lam has predicted, with full-back his obvious landing spot. That would be in either a straight switch with Jack Broadbent or see a move to the centres for the former Cas man.