Smith gives thoughts on Hull derby

“There is one true derby and that is in the same city!” insists Hull Kingston Rovers Head Coach Tony Smith.

One of the longest ongoing topics in the Super League is which derby is the biggest? However, Smith, a man who has coached in more than one rivalry during his coaching tenure in this country, is adamant the Hull derby is the biggest match.

He said:“I have been to all of them. I have been here 21 years and get asked the question all the time of ‘what is the biggest derby’?

“There are big rivalries in other parts of the country. When I was Leeds coach against Bradford back in the day, that was a huge rivalry. St Helens and Wigan, huge rivalry once again but there is only one derby and that is in the same city.

“It is a big one for both sides of the city. I am really pleased that both teams are able to represent rugby league in a really strong way and that is what they are doing at the moment.”

The Robins head into the match in fifth place, two places above the Black and Whites.

Having his say on the opposition, Smith added: “I have a lot of time for Jake Connor. He is a good player who I have heavy respect for. He can turn games on their head and is an exciting player to watch.

“Hull have got plenty of danger, whether Jake makes it or not, we are expecting a few back this week. Marc Sneyd and Josh Reynolds can run the show.

“We are trying to do our homework as best we can and account for as many of their returning players as we may think be there.

“We still have areas we need to be more fluent in but we have had a lot of confidence in them all year and it will not shake just because Jake and Marc are back.”