Reigning champions Hull KR will get the 2026 Super League campaign underway to newly-promoted York Knights, and here is how we think both sides will line-up.
The Robins have added a number of new faces to their squad this off-season, but the majority will come in and provide healthy competition and squad depth, meaning that only a couple of new additions are likely to feature in round one.
Karl Lawton is one of those people, and after joining in December from the NRL, the versatile forward will likely begin the game on the bench and come on wherever needed.
Able to play hooker or in the back row, and a few other positions too, it is likely that he will spell with either Jez Litten, who will be the starting nine, or Rhyse Martin and James Batchelor in the back row.
Other positions on the field pretty much select themselves, with the 1-7 picks near enough locked in, pending an injury doesn’t occur.
New signing Tom Amone is set for a race against the clock as he battles to recover from a broken arm that he suffered in training, meaning that a spot could open up at front row.
Jordan Dezaria, Jack Brown or Dean Hadley could line-up at prop, and it’s the latter that seems most likely. Hadley will pair with Sauaso Sue in the front row, whilst Elliot Minchella will captain the side yet again at 13.
Forward Sam Luckley is set to miss out this week against Lock Lane in the Challenge Cup, though he could make his first appearance of the new year in the game against York.
York’s squad is much more difficult to predict, but with so many players turning out for Newcastle Thunder in recent weeks, it could be suggested that the Knights squad is in a better position to begin the year given they already have a number of players with plenty of minutes under their belts.
The squad number selections give us an outside look-in to Mark Applegarth’s plans, but those numbers mean nothing when it comes to selection.
Some players, such as new signing Paul Vaughan, Toa Mata’afa and Scott Galeano are almost certain to start, whereas newbies Jordan Lipp and Ryan Jackson could find themselves competing for a opportunity in the 17.
Hull KR predicted XVII to face York Knights:Â 1. Arthur Mourgue, 2. Tom Davies, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Joe Burgess, 6. Mikey Lewis, 7. Tyrone May, 8. Sauaso Sue, 9. Jez Litten, 11. Dean Hadley, 17. Rhyse Martin, 12. Joe Batchelor, 13. Elliot Minchella
Bench: 19. Karl Lawton, 15. Sam Luckley, 16. Jai Whitbread 20. Jordan Dezaria
York Knights predicted XVII to face Hull KR:Â 1. Toa Mata’afa, 2. Ben Jones-Bishop, 21. Kieran Buchanan, 4. Sam Wood, 5. Scott Galeano, 6. Ata Hingano, 7. Liam Harris, 8. Jack Martin, 9, Paul McShane, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Griffin, 12. Jesse Dee, 13. Jordan Thompson
Bench: 14. Denive Balmforth, 15. Xavier Va’a, 16. Justin Sangare, 22. John Sagaga
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