Hull KR host their nearest and dearest rivals with Willie Peters’ side looking to take one step closer to winning the League Leaders Shield and they’re heavy favourites to do that as they take on an injury-ravaged Hull FC side.
John Cartwright’s team have lost a number of star players in recent weeks and the latest brutal blow was confirmation that star forward Herman Ese’ese is set to miss at least the next six months.
He had limped off in defeat to Leeds Rhinos with what has been confirmed to be a ruptured Achilles and he now joins the likes of John Asiata, Will Pryce, Jed Cartwright, Ligi Sao and Liam Knight on the injury list.
Ed Chamberlain is another on there too with the second-row/centre done for the year after suffering a hamstring injury, adding further problems to the Hull FC injury crisis.
With the odds stacked against them already, Hull FC may hope to take inspiration from the time when rivals KR beat them with just 16 players on the final day of the 2022 season.
Hull KR predicted team
Whilst Hull FC have plenty of injury issues, Hull KR also aren’t full strength with Rhyse Martin the latest player to pick up a ban. Meanwhile Oliver Gildart is still recovering from his knee issue, Micky McIlorum an ankle issue, with Sauaso Sue another who is still out.
Willie Peters can welcome back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after his ban with Jai Whitbread also in line to feature after missing last week, meaning Dean Hadley can return to the second-row after playing prop last week.
The biggest selection dilemma for Peters could be whether to use the fourth interchange spot on hooker Bill Leyland or a fourth forward such as Eribe Doro or Jack Brown, with at least one of the trio likely to miss out.
Predicted Hull KR XIII: Arthur Mourgue; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jez Litten, Jai Whitbread, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella
Predicted interchanges: Bill Leyland, Kelepi Tanginoa, Sam Luckley, Eribe Doro
Our Hull Derby 21-man squad is IN 👊#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/wqGczsoyYb
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) September 5, 2025
Hull FC predicted team
It becomes far harder to predict how Hull FC could line up given the sheer number of players that they are missing with Harvey Barron another to drop out on account of a head injury.
He’ll be replaced by Tom Briscoe with Jordan Rapana likely to play in the centres and Logan Moy possibly set to start at full-back, with Zak Hardaker potentially used to bulk out the pack once again.
Cade Cust’s return is timely and he’ll play in the halves though both Jack Charles and the Kemp twins could be considered this week in either the halves, at full-back or off the bench.
With the Robins having so much power up front, John Cartwright may be forced to carry four forwards as well leaving opportunities for those youngsters potentially hard to come by.
Predicted Hull FC XIII: Logan Moy; Tom Briscoe, Jordan Rapana, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer; Liam Watts, Amir Bourouh, Sam Eseh; Zak Hardaker, Jordan Lane, Yusuf Aydin
Predicted interchanges: Brad Fash, Will Gardiner, Matty Laidlaw, Jack Ashworth
John Cartwright has named his 21-man squad ahead of Sunday’s Betfred Super League R25 clash with Hull KR 📋
Read 👉 https://t.co/A7vxHdtkMh
⚫️⚪️ #COYH | https://t.co/69MwiDLr4u pic.twitter.com/kohCBL3m46
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) September 5, 2025
