Hull KR 2026 season preview
2025 recap
2025 was the greatest year in Hull KR’s history. The Robins completed the treble of Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League Grand Final.
Rovers had the strongest defence in Super League, the second-strongest attack, plus four players in the Dream Team.
A win over Brisbane Broncos on 19th February wil have them following in Wigan’s footsteps, as they look to become only the second team to hold all four trophies at the same time.
2025 position: 1st (Champions)
Key signings
Jumah Sambou (Oldham), Tom Amone (Canterbury Bulldogs), Declan Murphy (Salford Red Devils), Cobie Wainhouse (Hull FC), Jack Charles (Hull FC), Jordan Dezaria (Catalans), Tom Whitehead (Warrington), Karl Lawton (North Queensland Cowboys)
Key departures
Neil Tchamambe (Wakefield), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Retirement), Micky McIlorum (Retirement), Niall Evalds (Huddersfield), Rowan Milnes (Bradford), Kye Armstrong (TBC), Ajahni ‘AJ’ Wallace (Toulouse), Lennie Ellis (Sheffield Eagles), Danny Richardson (York), Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e (Catalans), Eribe Doro (Bradford), Leo Tennison (Newcastle Thunder), Kelepi Tanginoa (Warrington), Leon Ruan (Bradford – season-long loan), Jumah Sambou (Widnes Vikings – season-long loan)
Players to watch
Tom Amone will have big boots to fill when he takes over from retired prop, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Amone made a big impression during his time at Leigh Leopards before a return to the NRL for 2025 didn’t work out. He spent most of the year back in the UK with Castleford before his move to Craven Park in 2026, and he’ll be a big presence in the forward pack.
All eyes will be on Mikey Lewis again this year, but that’s nothing new for the 2024 Man of Steel. Now that he’s won everything domestically (both team and personal), all that’s left is to add a WCC and cement his place in the England side ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Young gun
Cobie Wainhouse will be one of the young props looking to step up to the first team now that JWH has gone. The 19-year-old has arrived from neighbours Hull FC, and he’s one of a number of promising forwards looking to stake his claim for regular game time in 2026.
Our prediction – 1st (Grand Final winners)
It’s not exactly a bold prediction, but I can’t see past the Robins making it back-to-back Super League titles. The other teams haven’t strengthened sufficiently to topple them, and Rovers haven’t been weakened enough to drop off. Time will tell when the season starts, but they’re the team to beat right now, and I can’t think of anyone who’ll stop them.
