Hull KR will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Super League table this week when they take on lowly Salford Red Devils.
The Robins currently sit two points clear at the top of the table but on Saturday, they have the opportunity to pile the pressure on Wigan Warriors and the rest of the chasing pack. They’ll be keeping a keen eye on Leigh Leopards’ result against Catalans Dragons in the opening game of the weekend, too.
Peters is guaranteed to make at least one change this weekend, with Kelepi Tanginoa dropping out of the fold after picking up a head knock last week in the win at Leeds Rhinos. The back-rower’s absence will likely see James Batchelor move to his more familiar back-row role and that opens up a spot in the outside backs for Lee Kershaw.
Kershaw has hardly worn red and white since making the move to Craven Park in the off-season, but the former Wakefield Trinity winger has been ticking over while on loan at Castleford Tigers and he could be set to make his Super League debut for the Robins.
If he does he’ll probably partner Peta Hiku on the right, with Jack Broadbent set to stay on the left in place of Joe Burgess who won’t feature due to the concussion he suffered two weeks away against Hull FC.
With Batchelor back in the pack the rest of the line-up will probably be similar to the one that took on Leeds last Friday, with Jai Whitbread and hometown lad Sam Luckley playing big roles off the bench and Bill Leyland spelling Jez Litten at hooker. There might be some debate around Eribe Doro or Jack Brown in the final bench spot, but Brown would have the right to feel aggrieved should he miss out this week.
Paul Rowley has welcomed back a number of senior faces this week in the form of Ethan Ryan, Chris Hankinson and Matty Foster and they can all expect to start with the Salford boss naming a 19-man squad.
It would not be a surprise to see Ryan and Hankinson on the wings, with Esan Marsters and Jonny Vaughan at centre. Joe Mellor drops out so Kai Morgan might have to play at scrum-half, and in an attempt to combat the fast start KR will look to make, Rowley might be tempted to go with the size of Jack Ormondroyd and Justin Sangare from the start.
Foster might just start in the back-row, with Joe Shorrocks able to play at loose-forward.
Predicted Hull KR v Salford Red Devils line-ups
Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue; Lee Kershaw, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Jack Broadbent; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; James Batchelor, Dean Hadley; Elliot Minchella.
Bench: Jai Whitbread, Sam Luckley, Bill Leyland, Jack Brown.
Salford Red Devils: Ryan Brierley; Ethan Ryan, Esan Marsters, Jonny Vaughan, Chris Hankinson; Jayden Nikorima, Kai Morgan; Jack Ormondroyd, Sam Davis, Justin Sangare; Ben Hellewell, Matty Foster; Joe Shorrocks.
Bench: Tiaki Chan, George Hill, Harvey Makin, Harvey Wilson.
