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2025 Hull Kingston Rovers season

The 2025 season is Hull Kingston Rovers' ninth consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. They are competing in the 2025 Super League season and the 2025 Challenge Cup.

Preseason friendlies

On 28 May 2024, the club announced that they would face York Knights in the Rugby League Amsterdam Challenge, a pre-season friendly held at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam on 25 January 2025. The match, organised in partnership with the Netherlands Rugby League Bond, aims to develop rugby league in the Netherlands,[3][4] and was later confirmed to be the club's only pre-season friendly of 2025.[5]

Date and Time Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
25 January; 12:30 (GMT) York Knights N NRCA Stadium L 12–26 Gorman, Tennison Richardson (2/2) 2,715 [6]

Super League

Main article: 2025 Super League season
Date and Time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Pos. Report
14 February; 20:00 Round 1 Castleford Tigers H Craven Park W 19–18 (g.p.) Burgess (3), Hiku Martin (1/4)
Drop-goals: Lewis 		11,020[7] Sky Sports Action 5th [8]
20 February; 20:00 Round 2 Wakefield Trinity A Belle Vue W 14–12 Davies, Lewis Martin (2/2 + 1 pen.) 8,065 Sky Sports Action 4th [9]
27 February; 20:00 Round 3 Salford Red Devils H Craven Park W 42–0 Whitbread (2), Tanginoa, Gildart, Davies, Broadbent, Richardson, Litten Martin (1/2), Richardson (3/4 + 2 pen.) 10,515[2] Sky Sports + 2nd [10]
7 March; 20:00 Round 4 St Helens A Totally Wicked Stadium W 20–10 Gildart (2), Lewis, Davies Lewis (2/4) 11,438 Sky Sports Action 1st [11]
23 March; 15:00 Round 5 Leigh Leopards H Craven Park W 30–0 Lewis (2), Gildart, Tanginoa, Davies Lewis (4/5 + 1 pen.) 11,231[1] Sky Sports + 1st [12]
30 March; 15:00 Round 6 Huddersfield Giants A Kirklees Stadium W 50–4 Lewis (3), Litten (2), Gildart, Mourgue, Whitbread, Davies Mourgue (7/9) 5,015 Sky Sports + 1st [13]
11 April; 20:00 Round 7 Wigan Warriors H Craven Park L 12–28 Burgess, Hiku Mourgue (2/2) 11,000+[a] Sky Sports Action 1st [14]
18 April, 12:30
(Good Friday) 		Round 8
(Rivals Round) 		Hull F.C. A MKM Stadium W 28–14 Gildart, Hiku, Mourgue, Batchelor, Waerea-Hargreaves Mourgue (3/4), Lewis (1/1) 21,018 Sky Sports Action 1st [15]
25 April, 20:00 Round 9 Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Rugby Stadium – Sky Sports Action
3 May; 16:15 Round 10
(Magic Weekend) 		Salford Red Devils N St James' Park – Sky Sports Action
17 May; 15:00[b] Round 11 Huddersfield Giants H Craven Park – Sky Sports +
23 May; 20:00 Round 12 Warrington Wolves A Halliwell Jones Stadium – Sky Sports Action
30 May; 20:00 Round 13 St Helens H Craven Park – Sky Sports
13 June; 20:00 Round 14 Catalans Dragons H Craven Park – Sky Sports
19 June; 20:00 Round 15 Castleford Tigers A The Jungle – Sky Sports
27 June; 20:00 Round 16 Wakefield Trinity H Craven Park – Sky Sports
6 July; 15:00 Round 17 Leeds Rhinos H Craven Park – Sky Sports
12 July; 15:00 Round 18 Leigh Leopards A Leigh Sports Village – Sky Sports
19 July; 18:00 (BST) Round 19 Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus – Sky Sports
31 July; 20:00 Round 20 Salford Red Devils A Salford Community Stadium – Sky Sports
9 August; 15:00 Round 21 Castleford Tigers H Craven Park – Sky Sports
15 August; 20:00 Round 22 Wigan Warriors A Brick Community Stadium – Sky Sports
21 August; 20:00 Round 23 Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Rugby Stadium – Sky Sports
29 August; 20:00 Round 24 St Helens H Craven Park – Sky Sports
7 September; 15:00 Round 25 Hull F.C. H Craven Park – Sky Sports
13 September; 15:00 Round 26 Wakefield Trinity A Belle Vue – Sky Sports
21 September; 15:00 Round 27 Warrington Wolves H Craven Park – Sky Sports

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Hull KR 8 7 0 1 215 86 +129 14 Advance to Semi-finals
2 Wigan Warriors 8 6 0 2 254 85 +169 12
3 Leigh Leopards 8 5 1 2 133 128 +5 11 Advance to Eliminators
4 Hull FC 8 5 1 2 143 152 −9 11
5 St Helens 9 5 0 4 248 129 +119 10
6 Leeds Rhinos 8 5 0 3 162 85 +77 10
7 Warrington Wolves 9 5 0 4 168 190 −22 10
8 Catalans Dragons 8 4 0 4 154 142 +12 8
9 Wakefield Trinity 8 4 0 4 141 136 +5 8
10 Castleford Tigers 8 1 0 7 100 180 −80 2
11 Salford Red Devils 8 1 0 7 53 308 −255 2
12 Huddersfield Giants 8 0 0 8 88 238 −150 0
Updated to match(es) played on 24 April 2025. Source: [1]

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2025 Challenge Cup

On 25 June 2024, the RFL announced a change to the Challenge Cup format, totalling 7 rounds compared to the previous 9, with Super League teams entering to play away from home at round 3.[17]

Hull Kingston Rovers were first drawn on 14 January to play the York Knights away in Round 3, with the fixture being the last to be confirmed following York's delayed Round 2 72–12 victory against the Keighley Cougars on 2 February.[18][19] Following their victory against York, Hull Kingston Rovers were drawn on 15 February to play Oldham R.L.F.C. at home on 14 March.[20]

Following their 40–0 victory against Oldham, Hull Kingston Rovers entered into the quarter-finals and, for the first time since the first round of the 1985–86 Challenge Cup, were drawn in a Hull Derby to play Hull F.C. away on 5 April.[21][22] Following their 32–16 victory in the derby fixture, Hull Kingston Rovers were then drawn in the semi-finals to play the Catalans Dragons on the weekend of 10-11 May.

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
7 February; 19:30 Round 3 York Knights A York Community Stadium W 44–2 Martin (2), Lewis (2), Hiku, Davies, Evalds, Tanginoa Martin (6/8) 5,369 The Sportsman [23]
14 March; 20:00 Round 4 Oldham R.L.F.C. H Craven Park W 40–0 Gildart (2), Davies, Whitbread, Kershaw, Leyland, Broadbent Richardson (6/7) Not televised [24]
5 April; 14:30 Quarter-finals Hull F.C. A MKM Stadium W 32–16 Burgess (2), Davies, Broadbent, Litten Litten (5/5 + 1 pen.) 20,226 BBC One [25]
10 May; 14:30 Semi-finals Catalans Dragons N York Community Stadium –

Transfers

Gains

Player Club Contract Date
New Zealand Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Sydney Roosters 1 Year February 2024[26]
England Jack Brown Hull FC 2 Years May 2024[27]
England Tom Davies Catalans Dragons 3 Years June 2024[28]
England Eribe Doro Bradford Bulls 2 Years June 2024[29]
England Bill Leyland London Broncos 2 Years July 2024[30]
England Michael McIlorum Catalans Dragons 1 Year July 2024[31]
England Danny Richardson Castleford Tigers 2 Years August 2024[32]
Papua New Guinea Rhyse Martin Leeds Rhinos 2 Years August 2024[33]
England Lee Kershaw London Broncos 2 Years November 2024[34]
England Leon Ruan Leeds Rhinos 2 Years December 2024[35]
England Noah Booth Wakefield Trinity 4 Years January 2025[36]
France Arthur Mourgue Catalans Dragons 31⁄2 Years March 2025[37]

Losses

Player Club Contract Date
England Ryan Hall Leeds Rhinos 1 Year April 2024[38]
Turkey Yusuf Aydin Hull FC 2 Years May 2024[27]
Ireland Louis Senior Castleford Tigers 2 Years May 2024[39]
England Jordan Abdull Hull FC 3 Years June 2024[40]
England Ben Reynolds Featherstone Rovers 2 Years July 2024[41]
England Matty Storton Wakefield Trinity 3 Years August 2024[42]
Australia Tom Opacic TBC August 2024[43]
England Harvey Moore TBC September 2024[44]
Ireland George King Huddersfield Giants 4 Years October 2024[45]
England Reiss Butterworth Sheffield Eagles 2 Years November 2024[46]
Australia Matt Parcell N/A Retirement November 2024[47]

Loans out

Player Club Loan period Date
England Noah Booth Hunslet End of season January 2025[36]
England Neil Tchamambe Wakefield Trinity End of season January 2025[36]
England Lennie Ellis Goole Vikings Six weeks February 2025[48]
England Zach Fishwick Hunslet Three weeks February 2025[49]
England Niall Evalds Huddersfield Giants End of season March 2025[50]
England Lee Kershaw Castleford Tigers Two weeks[c] April 2025[51]

Squad

2025 Hull Kingston Rovers Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • Red card = suspended
  • red cross icon = injured
  • (gk) = Goal kicker

Updated: 20 December 2024
Source(s): Hull KR announce 2025 Squad Numbers, Backroom Staff

Notes

  1. ^ No exact attendance figure released.
  2. ^ Kick-off will change to 17:30 if 2025 FA Cup final kicks off at 15:00.[16]
  3. ^ Kershaw had already been loaned to Castleford on a two-week deal in March, however he was recalled to Hull Kingston Rovers for Round 4 of the Challenge Cup due to a high number of squad injuries.
  4. ^ Shirt number 6 had originally been retired by the club in 2017 following the death of former player and coach Roger Millward, however it was revived for use by Mikey Lewis in December 2024.[52]

References

  1. ^ a b Olawumi, Ben (24 March 2025). "Super League attendance watch: St Helens and Hull KR post huge numbers amid positive weekend". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b Tomlinson, Daniel (3 March 2025). "Super League attendance watch as big crowds recorded at Leeds, Hull KR and Vegas". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  3. ^ Bower, Aaron (28 May 2024). "Hull KR and York Knights to take historic match to Amsterdam". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  4. ^ Shaw, Matthew (28 May 2024). "Everything we know about Hull KR's Amsterdam Challenge from stadium to travel offers". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  5. ^ Walker, Callum (8 November 2024). "Hull KR confirm unusual pre-season schedule for 2025 Super League season". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  6. ^ Shaw, Matthew (25 January 2025). "Hull KR v York Knights highlights with Amsterdam history made in defeat". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  7. ^ Olawumi, Ben (18 February 2025). "How Super League's Round 1 attendances in 2025 compare to every previous year as huge record set". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Hull KR claim golden point victory over Castleford". BBC Sport. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Man of Steel Lewis suffers injury in Hull KR win". BBC Sport. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  10. ^ Cartwright, Phil (27 February 2025). "Hull KR thrash Salford to continue perfect start". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  11. ^ McAllister, Josh (7 March 2025). "Hull KR verdict as Robins suffocate Saints to maintain perfect start". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  12. ^ Harby, Chris (23 March 2025). "Clinical Robins beat Leigh to go three points clear". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  13. ^ Shaw, Matthew (30 March 2025). "Hull KR have Super League on watch after Huddersfield Giants decimation". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  14. ^ "Hull KR's unbeaten start ends with loss to Wigan". BBC Sport. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  15. ^ "Hull KR resist 12-man Hull FC to win derby thriller". BBC Sport. 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  16. ^ Rej, Arindam (21 November 2024). "Hull KR's 2025 Super League fixtures in full with FA Cup final timing clash to be avoided". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  17. ^ "New format for Betfred Challenge Cup in 2025". Rugby Football League. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  18. ^ Shaw, Matthew (28 January 2025). "Date set for Hull KR's Challenge Cup clash despite uncertainty over opponents". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  19. ^ Olawumi, Ben (2 February 2025). "Full Challenge Cup Third Round line-up and schedule complete as Hull KR learn opponents". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  20. ^ Olawumi, Ben (15 February 2025). "Challenge Cup Fourth Round draw as 11 Super League sides discover opponents". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  21. ^ Bower, Aaron (17 March 2025). "Challenge Cup quarter-final draw: Hull FC to host Hull KR in mouthwatering last eight". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  22. ^ "BBC to show Hull derby and Wire v Saints cup ties". BBC Sport. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  23. ^ Shaw, Matthew (7 February 2025). "Hull KR verdict as Robins class shows to secure Challenge Cup progress". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  24. ^ Shaw, Matthew (14 March 2025). "Hull KR secure safe Challenge Cup passage with debutants on the scoresheet". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  25. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (5 April 2025). "Hull KR weather Hull FC storm to record derby victory and seal semi-final spot". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  26. ^ "Jared Waerea-Hargreaves: Hull KR swoop to sign NRL star and New Zealand international for 2025". Sky Sports News. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  27. ^ a b Darbyshire, Drew (7 May 2024). "Hull FC and Hull KR forwards in swap deal as pair make permanent moves". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  28. ^ "England winger Davies to join Hull KR from Catalans". BBC Sport. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  29. ^ "Hull KR sign Bradford prop Doro for 2025". BBC Sport. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Hull KR sign Broncos hooker Leyland". BBC Sport. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  31. ^ Shaw, Matthew (18 July 2024). "Hull KR sign Micky McIlorum in one of Super League's all-time unexpected deals". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  32. ^ Walker, Callum (23 August 2024). "Ex-Castleford Tigers halfback secures Super League deal for 2025 and 2026". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  33. ^ Bower, Aaron (19 August 2024). "Hull KR solve overseas quota puzzle as star to be released to allow Rhyse Martin capture". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  34. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (1 November 2024). "Hull KR make eighth signing for 2025 in shape of London Broncos ace". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  35. ^ "Hull KR bring in forward Ruan after Leeds exit". BBC Sport. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  36. ^ a b c Walker, Callum (29 January 2025). "Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR confirm player swap ahead of 2025 Super League season". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  37. ^ Shaw, Matthew (16 March 2025). "Hull KR head coach Willie Peters pinpoints Arthur Mourgue's key strength with transfer complete". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  38. ^ Shaw, Aaron (22 April 2024). "Explaining why Leeds Rhinos were able to announce Ryan Hall deal before May 1 deadline". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  39. ^ "Senior twins signs Castleford contracts". BBC Sport. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  40. ^ O'Brien, James (5 June 2024). "Hull FC cross divide to sign Jordan Abdull as half-back's career comes full circle". The Yorkshire Post. Leeds. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  41. ^ Rej, Arindam (8 July 2024). "Hull KR's blunt Ben Reynolds exit message tells tale with departure confirmed". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  42. ^ Rej, Arindam (16 August 2024). "Matty Storton's Hull KR exit confirmed with destination named". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  43. ^ "Hull KR confirm Opacic exit at end of season". BBC Sport. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  44. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (19 September 2024). "Hull KR bid farewell to 11 players as club announces departure list". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  45. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (17 October 2024). "George King completes Super League transfer following Hull KR departure". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  46. ^ Olawumi, Ben (10 November 2024). "Released Hull KR ace makes permanent Championship return for 2025". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  47. ^ Walker, Callum (19 November 2024). "Ex-Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos hooker Matt Parcell confirms next career move following illustrious rugby league spell". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  48. ^ Olawumi, Ben (5 February 2025). "Hull KR young gun makes short-term League 1 move ahead of 2025 campaign". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  49. ^ Walker, Callum (12 February 2025). "Hull KR loan out prop Zach Fishwick". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  50. ^ "Huddersfield sign Hull KR full-back Evalds on loan". BBC Sport. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  51. ^ Olawumi, Ben (7 April 2025). "New Hull KR recruit makes cross-Super League switch as latest loan confirmed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  52. ^ Walker, Callum (13 December 2024). "Hull KR to un-retire Super League club's number 6 shirt as Mikey Lewis given incredible honour". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 13 December 2024.